CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3024, 22 October 1908, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir, —In your issue of the 14th instant, Cr A. Murray is stated to have taken exception to certain evidence in connection v»ith the General Labourers' dispute. Strange how bitterly hostile some men become when some poor worker opens his mouth with the view of bettering himself and his children. The roadman in question did not appear of his own accord; he was subpoenaed by me from Wellington without my knowing the man or his employer. The "matters of fact" which Cr Murray ha 3 been enlarging upon are almost word for word the evidence given. The roadman told the Court that the cost of the horse would have been much greater if grazing had to be paid for. He also told the Court about the extra Is a day when on the Coast. And in this connection it might help Cr Murray to a more rational frame of mind if I point out that the extra pay amounts to 6s a week, whereas it generally costs working men about 16s for board. Although the case is still sub judice, I have no hesitation in saying there is nothing generous in the Council's treatment of its men, and certainly nothing to justify Cr Murray in putting his heel in the man's mouth because he speaks the plain truth.—l am, etc., M. J. REARDON.