CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 309, 31 December 1891, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

RE "OBJECTOR'S " OBJECTIONS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —While perusing your valuable paper the other day I was much surprised at the spiteful and" uncalled - for lettor Eigncd "Objector," re postmen's Christmas boxea. Let me tell Mr Objector that the giving of Christmas boxes is a time-honoured custom, not only in all English-speaking countries, but nearly throughout Christendom. In London especially the poorest classes regularly give a small present, if only a 6d, to the hard-working, plodding postman whose duties wo well know are doubled at the festive season through the pleasant old custom of exchanging- Christmas cards among friends. I myself am not connected in any way with the postal or any other branch of the Civil Service, bub 1 have several times during the last week observed the tired postmen trudging patiently with heavy bag.s long after the majority of people, including in all probability "Objector" himself, have reached their homes, dined, and aro smoking the pipe of poace in the bosoms of their families: the postmen, usually most civil and obliging men, receiving no extra pay for the additional labour entailed. Let mo also remind this kindly-spirited, good-hearted " Objector' , that the giving of Christmas gifts, as the very term implies, is entirely optional on the part of the giver, and if he hitnself cannot find it in his heart to hesliow a trifle on a hard-working, and not by any means over-paid, clas« of men, why doeu he seek by his mean and uncharitable suggestions to annoy and injure them, more especially afc a time .at which peace and goodwill should be felt towards all men throughout all Christian communities? Trusting that I have not trespassed tco much upon your valuable space,—l am, etc., " Sympathiser.