FOURTEEN HOURS A DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 194, 16 August 1911, Page 6

FOURTEEN HOURS A DAY.

"It was agreed Evidence before that a six days’ the Federal Arbltraweek of 72 hours tlon Court showed be adopted, and that that machine shearno day’s work be cr* average £7 13/5 more than 14 hours, per week of 48 Drivers of one- hoars." Sydney, horsed vans should 12/8/11. as per receive ‘Si/, two- "Auckland Star.” horsed 31/, fourhorsed 38/ a week, and stablemen 27/." —“Auckland Star," 12/8/11. (To the Editor.) Sir, —By quoting the above in contrast, 1 do not wish to imply that the shearer.] get these wages all the year round, but I ti they only receive that rate of pay for a few months, it would put the London rate right into the shade. Vastly better pay obtains anywhere in New Zealand or Australia, and vastly better conditions of living, healthier surroundings and shorter hours, despite the always present grumbler, who is ever with us. “Drainers, wanted, 10/, 8 hours. Navvies wanted, 0/ and 10/, 8 hours,” etc., etc. I And yet, we have still to be attlicted with the agitator, who wall tell you all about the hovels we live in, the high cost of living, the rotten state of New Zealand, and the sins and shortcomings of the tiovernment of the day, its bribery, corruption, etc. Let f hose who honestly believe that the above things are true, try, say a country like Russia, with its eternal inward discontent, severe winters, etc., and I will guarantee that they will come back here full of praise for the inestimable blessings conferred upon us by our legislators, who for 20 years (as the Liberal Government) have done so much for us. Because I have been in a few other countries myself, and have done every phase of hard work, 1 lift my pen in appreciation for the benefits we enjoy, and ask workingmen to give honour where honour is due, and pay no heel to the reckless utterances of paid agitators, many of whom have not had the experience, and many of whom have never a good word for anyone. In conclusion, it really seems inconsistent for the present Government to be accused of Socialistic tendencies by the Opposition supporters, and yet to find Socialists telling you they can see no good thing in the Liberal Government.—l am, etc., 12 YEARS A WORKER. Auckland. P.S.—I notice in your Saturday’s issue, also, that members-of Parliament get only 0/. 10/ and 11/ a day in some countries, and I can make more than that either in good flax, or in good bush; in fact can average 15/ a day. “Comparisons arc truly odious.”

CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. "Kpsom" agrees that the University building must be erected within the City boundaries, and eifnnot see any good reason why the whole of the Government House site should not have been taken for the purpose. He suggests, however, as an alternative that negotiations should be entered into for thV> acquisition of the land occupied by Bishop Cleary at Ponsonby. as affording a really ideal site, near to cricket ground, sea bathing, and facilities for boating. "Able Seaman and Fireman," writing on the subject of entended river limits, says it was claimed some years ago that these coastal services would be a good means of training seamen. So far f»om that being the case he saw an order given on a coastal steamer to strop a block, and only one out of the crew of the steamer could do "this most rudimentary piece of sailor's work." Mr. E. Bellhouse draws attention to the fact that the Earl Russell who has just received a free pardon in connection with a charge of bigamy was a grandson, not son of Lord John Russell, the statesman. "Rumbusticus" complains of the common practice of advertisers failing to acknowledge applications for employment or return the references that are sent them. He says: "I suppose I am not the only poor wretch who has been so scurvily treated, and who has waited, heartsick, day by day for. some news as to whether his application was successful or otherwise." , Mr. Montague (iarnaut considers that an inquiry should be made into the methods employed by detectives in obtaining from witnesses what are commonly known as "voluntary statements. He says he knows of pressure being placed upon persons to give replies to questions which are put in such a way as to cause intellectual confusion, and asks whether a statement so made

"would, according to police ethics, be considered a voluntary statement."

AVe have received several letters protesting against the exclusion of British sailors fro.n skating rinks. " Quia Separahit" thinks the City Council ought to insist upon free access to the well-h> haved public as a condition upon which licenses are granted. Mr. A. Smith, proprietor of the Olideaway Rink, says his rink is run on the most democratic lines, and "no presentable personVmoney has ever been refused," yet the behaviour of visitors to the rink is altogether unexceptionable. " Poneke " considers that the continual absence of a member of the Grev Lynn Council from the Dominion ought to disqualify him from holding a seat on the Council. He regards it as unfair to the ratepayers that leave of absence should be granted from time to time, when other ratepayers willing to give their services to the borough arc available.

Mr. Arthur Cuniiiiings does not consider compulsory military training consistent with the traditions of a free country. He also says that youths arc liable to become contaminated in encampments. Mr. L. Johnstone protests against the prosecution of hawkers for stopping in Queen-street for a period of eleven minutes, and .intimates his intention to apply to the proper authorities for protection. A Parnell resident trges that there should be a by-law in that borough compelling householders to use proper covered tins for the household refuse. M.A. (Cancan) remarks: afraid our anti-military friends have but little conception of national defence. In case of invasion it would immediately coqie home to every soul that arbitration is futile until other menacing nations arc equally ready for peaceful measures in order to prevent loss of lif e and national prosperity. It is all very well to cry as anti-militarists are cryin": "Stop" war!" But what will happen if Great Britain is threatened? It is also noticable that those agitators who are proclaiming th» non-military crusade are most loud in their protestations against the incursion of those whom they describe as the " Yellow Peril." Now, if other nations are unprepared to accept arbitration and demand that America, England, New Zealand and Australia allow millions of Chinamen and Japanese, to settle within their borders, how in the name of common sense are we to stop their entrance except by force of armsr"

Mr. Walter Leveston thinks thai "at least one sports meeting in the year, or in each season, should be devoted to the cause of those who are unable to help themselves. Surely we have enough charitably disposed athletes, footballers, etc., prepared to give their services for the once, in this cause."