THE MEAT STRIKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10559, 15 February 1912, Page 5

THE MEAT STRIKE

[To The Editor.] Sir, — In this morning's issue of your journal, "Small Farmer," who ;is in the happy position of possessing three wage-earners whom lie insults bv inferring that they would become strike breakers, or 111 plain words* ".blacklegs," claims that the farmers hold the key of the position. This is the sort of trash that can be expected from certain individuals who, backed up by Conservative organs, fight the workers at every opportunity. I challenge "Small Farmer," who, by the way, possesses (on his own admission) three wage slaves, to come from behind the hedge and prove to I your readers that there is either I truth, or common-sense, in his letter lof this morning. I do not fight shadows, but if "Small Farmer" will assert his manhood by fighting openly, and not above a 110 m de plume, I am prepared to prove not only to your readers but to "Small Farmer" himself, that he, and such as he, are the greatest asset the Labour movement can possess. The worker who reads "Small Farmer's" letter cannot fail to see the irony of the same, and ifc must make Him think, which is all that even those terrible labour agitators can do. When twenty per cent, of the workers start to think, our battle will be at an end, and for proof I refer you to "Small Farmer's" letter, which j. will thank some leading light in the Employers' Association to pujblicly endorse. I would like to call attention to the fact that in-Masterton there is a scarcity of chaps seeking employment, and to prove this I refer you to the official in charge of the local Government Labour Bureau, and also to a paragraph in this imorning's issue of your journal, - viz., "East Coast settlers cannot procure men." Oh, the irony of it all! These same settlers can supply "scab labour" to fight the workers in the meat industry! I do not desire to encroach further upon your space, though 1 might at a later date,- with your permission, deal with, your late find, a Wairarapa "Chow Champion," who is assisting "Small Farmer" to insult the workers in your district.— lam ,etc., M. LARA.CY. Cross' Creek, Feb. 14, 1912.