The Westport Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1102, 29 August 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1873.

A VF\v days since Mr Donald lieid, one of the Otago members, asked in the House it' the attention of the G.jverninoiit had been directed to the evil effects of the truck system, and if they intended to take any steps to prevent it, and stated that meetings had been held in Otago condemning the evils of the system. In response the Minister of Public Works replied that as regarded Grovernmeut contracts stringent regulations for the prevention of truck were in force. It had in one instance been attempted by a contractor to introduce it, but steps had been laken immediately to stop it. A circular letter had been sent to the various resident engineers to see to the matter in their districts. This reply seems to have been accepted as satisfactory, for the subject was dropped and it is not likely that any Act specially devised as a preventive measure will be at present introduced, however much the working men may clamor that such an act is needed for

their protection. Lt has been asserted that although the truck system may not be practiced openly by contractors tor public works, yet they contrive to snil very closely to the wind, and while evading any direct penalties, still pocket a very handsome percentage on the wages of their employees by charging exorbitant prices for goods supplied, making it a condition with all seeking employment that they shall purchase their necessaries at the contractors' stores, and no where else. There may be reason for such complaints, but on the other hand those who repine at the terms of their fancied bondage must remember that some little credit at least is due to contractors for enabling men, utterly hard up as they generally are when seeking work, to obtain all they need on the spot where they earn their wages. It must be worth somewhat to a roadman every week to be saved a weary tramp to and fro for his weekly rations, and in accordance with usual commercial custom he must expect to pay somewhat for the accommodation of goods supplied previous to any actual earnings accruing to his credit. But these considerations are too often forgotten and hence the cry sometimes raised that contractors are but so many harpies preying upon the working men, must not be unreservedly listened to. On the other hand there is no just cause to be shown why a workman having fairly started to work and cleared off all his first incurred liabilities should not be enabled to claim thereafter payment of his wages in hard cash, and liberty to deal with either his employer or any one else offering the goods he requires at reasonable rates. In the competition that might ensue for the workmau's custom it would most probably be found that the larger share of his custom would be still retained by the contractor, for the reason that he above all other competitors would command greater facilities for keeping large stocks of necessary stores just at such places most convenient to the workman. The only necessary point on which government enterprise seems necessary is in making cash payments of wages compulsory, and if the instructions given to District Surveyors extend to this, there seems little more to be desired, always providing that contracts shall be given to responsible men who in fulfilling their undertakings with the Government will also deal justly with their employees. With such employers any workman of ordinary skill should, in the present state of the labor market, be able to make fair terms.