KNIGHTS OF LABOUR AND THE SHIP CANAL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8964, 30 November 1894, Page 3

KNIGHTS OF LABOUR AND THE SHIP CANAL.

TO THS EDITOR 0? THE FRSS3. Sir,—l observe a letter in your issue of Tuesday, wherein Mr Card'ncr presumes to question the veracity of the report you published of the last meeting of the above body. I feel it my duty to state that the report was correct in every particular, and the documents issued by the promoters of the canal scheme were before tho meeting, although not received in a strictly "official ' manner, but at auy rate at the hands of one of the Committee, so that the question was discussed upon its merits. Tue map, plan and particulars were carefully studied. Doubtless it is galling to a few interested enthusiasts, after suffering from the apathy of the public, to find one body has the conrage to express its caudid opinion, but before public money is wasted upon such a visionary undertaking, I trust the public will throw off their indifference aud relegate the sdherae to some future generation that may really want the work carried out. Mr Gardner is quite right in stating that this body is interested iv the workers, but it also has other interests to take into accouut. Work is a good thing, doubtless, but only good in so far as the end aimed at ia wholly of use. This s.heme finished, the workmen would find themselves in the same position as when they commenced, while increased value to property, privilege, monopoly, and extra power to keep down the worker would be added to that already possessed by the callous capitalist. To make work, aud make Christchurch prosperous, forsooth, we are to waste the hundreds of thousands spent at Lyttelton, and reduce it to a mere fishing village; substitute a gift of Nature for au artificial chimera ! The Knights of Labour exist to break down monopoly and reduce the power of the wealthy to oppress hia less fortunate fellow-man, and in condemning this "fad" they are true to their traditions. Thanking you in anticipation,—.tours, &c,

Secretary.