CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1922, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

WATERSIDE WORKERS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—lt is often stated .hat newspapers endeavor to print only puch matter as can be substantiated by fact, but we have recently had a faring case where this is not so. The instance to which I am about to refer shows to what extent some people will go to attempt to blacken their opponents. It was stated in your paper a few. days ago that a local business firm was desirous of landing some cargo of the Rarawa at 6.30 a.m„ and that the watersiders undertook to do the work on condition that they were paid at the rate of six hours' pay for the hours to be worked. In your reference to ttis matter it is inferred that the watersiders were asked to do the work required and that they refused except on the conditions named. To this I give an emphatic denial. The proper persons to see on such a matter were either myself or some other officer of the union, but our first knowledge of the matter was per medium of your paper. It seems strange that while we are continually being told there should be greater harmony between employer and employee, yet some unknown person (unknown to the watersiders) attempts to create friction without cause whatever. It seems that, the whole affair is a coimplete fabrication, by some person, who has an ulterior motive in view. Then again an anonymous correspondent In your Wednesday's issue enlarges on the first report and appears to gloat because the action of ( the watersiders has apparently been shown In an unfavorable light. It has \ been said that a Britisher never hits below the belt, but this person stoops to attack some of our citizens under the cloak of a non de plume. Sfieh a thing is contemptible, but perhaps this person concerned is ashamed of his name, if so, he is to be pitied. It is not often that we make any demand on your space, Mr. Editor, but I consider that the false impression created necessitates my writing ttis. Thanking you, sir, —I am, etc.,

A. WILLIAMS. Secretary of the New Plymouth Waterside Workers' Union.

[The circumstances, we find, are briefly these: A local ouslness flan, desirous of obtaining perishable goods from the Rarawa before 8 a.m. on a Saturday (half-holiday), got into touch with the authorities to secure the necessary wharf labor, and was told that if the men were required to work before or after the regular hours named in the award, they/would have to be paid for six hours’ work, even if they worked but the one and a half hours desired by the firm, who refused, under these conditions, to proceed further with tte matter.—Ed.]