REGISTRY OFFICES. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 102, 2 May 1890, Page 4

REGISTRY OFFICES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir— The Sweating Commission oiuno here to take evidence re overworked servants, and they also took evidence re registry offices, and I wish to call your attention to a very unfair proceeding. Late last Friday a woman gavn ovidonce that she had paid a certain snm of money for a situation, whioh she found did not oxist; but mark you, sir, sho said she did not think it worth while to take Btcpa to reoover the money from the man who robbed her. Now, air, had the Barae lndividnal put his hand in her pookot whilst walking tho street, she would have given him in ohargo for picking her pocket ; but becauso he adopts his own sweet way of doing it she is quite willing to bear the loss. Now, sir, I maintain that woman had a dnty to perform for herself and her 00-workers in the colony, by taking action at once, and not only making the man roturn her money, but have him punished for obtaining it under false pretences. As the case stands at present, this woman's evidence re registry offices in Wellington has been telegraphed all over the colony, and accepted as a goneral statement of the doinga of labour agonts hero. The unfairness I have alluded to is thiß: Last Monday morning I waited on the local Commissioners, and asked to be allowed to proteot my business from tho Blur cast on it by tho woman's evidence. I was told tho sittings had closed, but was advised to go to tho Government •Bnildinga and see tho secretary, who would take my evidence and lay it before the Commissioners. I went to the Buildings, and there saw two gentlemen, and I oxplained to one of them what I wanted, and I was again told the proceedings had dosed, but was advised to write a lotter setting forth my complaint, which would be considered by them as to tho necessity of hearing farther evidence. I wrote tho letter, whioh waß delivered the same day, but up to the present I have not heard a word from them, hence my writing to you asking that you will publish my contradiotion as far as the Bmpiro Labour Exchange is concerned. Understand, Sir, Ido not wish to oontradiot in general the woman's statement ; on the contrary, I believe her, and so long as there are people who don't think it worth while to take stopß to recover their money bo long will tho agent who took hers continue his game. I believe the samo person has treated hundreds in tho same manner, and it would bo as woll for servants beforo paying their money to ineiat on knowing if thero is a situation, also if tho man has authority from tho otnployer to Bend a servant, for in nine oasoß out of ten the situations are cut from the local papers, and then posted up outside the door as " Wanteds." Your Bpace will not allow of it, or I could enumerate many oases in tho town and outside it where servants have been sent after bogus situations, and in eaoh cose havo lost their money. I advertise my wants in all the looftl papera, and will have none of the black board business to draw people in, and' I am also preparod to forfeit the sum of £5 for any advertisement of mine for which I o»nnot produce legal authority. Let othors do the same, if posaiblo. Wo arc, Ac, Edwards A M'Ekath, Labour Agonts.