MATTERS CONCERNING THE MAJORITY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1909, Page 10

MATTERS CONCERNING THE MAJORITY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Thoi-u have, of late, been several important questions concerning- the interests of the w ago-earning class of, not only Wellington, but the whole of the Dominion, in your journal. First of all to attract my attention was the report of a discussion at the recent Fruitgrowers' Conforenee. The fruitgrowers (the producers) complained that they did not receive recompense enough for their labours; that the brokers' percentage (10 per cent.) is too high. The consumer complains that he p'aja too much for his fruir — nnd so ho does. At the last "clay of tho conference Mr. Tonnsend (a fruit broker) proposed that the shipping cornpanics should bo approached, asking for a reduction in freights. Why not the fiuitgrowcrs have their own brokers and allow tho consumer to have the benefit of at least 5 per ccmt. ? Another matter — municipal tradinpr. The rotailers (tho middlemen) are howling out their tribulations to tho Mayor and council for giving to the consumer nn article- at tho lowest possible price. It appears possible for the < council to supply filament lamps to its clcctriolight customers at 2s 2d oach. Tho previous retail price Was 7s 6d ; then it was reduced to 4s 9d. All glory and praise to the Mayor and council if they can lighten tho burden of those who aro ' paying through the i:-jbo" for almost everything they wear and cat. I trust the council will not stand still now it has mado a start, but giro us markets, whoroby wo can consume our own per ccritages. Another matter, and the last. The Employers' Federation will bo in con foronco on Wednesday. Among the many questions to bo disouESod 13 one concerning our boys— "Apprentices and tho Law ot Apprentices." Tho object of tho employers is, I bolieve, to abolish the indenture system, and substitute a certificate? system— i.e., a. lad may servo perhaps, five different masters in livo years, or if tho master bo slack he may loan : hii apprentice to another employer. 1 may point out an imaginary instance ■ whuro this might bo abused— and perhaps has occurred already : A lad is in tho last year of his time, receiving 30s per v.-cj-k. Tho maker's trade is I L*' n c fcho "PPi-cntice is loaned out, tL in po m, v>coc ' the master raining the 15s. • There's many a true word spoken m jast.— l am, etc , Wellington, 15th November, 1909."