AN ANSWER TO FAIR PLAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1528, 20 April 1882, Page 3

AN ANSWER TO FAIR PLAY.

TO THE KDITOR. Sir,— Your correspondent, "Fair Play " in your last issue, makes some statements which, had they affected ourselves alone, we should have .allowed to pass unnoticed, leaving them to be smiled at by any person acquainted with the circumstances. But as the said statements have " a sting in their tail" directed at a gentleman who might be injuriously affected by them we will trouble you with a few words in reply. The statements would doubtless be very important did they not lack one essential element, viz., truth. The natives employed on the HuntleyRaglan Road do not receive orders from the foreman of works, but simply certificates that they are entitled to a certain amount of wages, and those certificates are, if the holders so desire, paid by us to them in hard cash in full. And so far from "bitterly complaining," the system was adopted by Mr Blyth at the urgent request of the natives, so that they might procure food to take out to the work with them. The cause of your correspondent's new-born zeal for the interests of the " oppressed natives" will be quite apparent if he abandon his norn de plume, and make the general public as well acquainted with his identity as are— Yours, &c, Friab and Davies. Huntley, April 18th.