DISTRIBUTING THE BURDEN

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1914, Page 9

DISTRIBUTING THE BURDEN

TO THI EBITOR. Sir, — One cannot but be pleased to Bee that> the Government is taking the present situation in hand in such a way as to impress the country that it has a sincere desire to case the present and threatening distress, or at least to disli'ibuto it as much as possible so that the helpless poor shall not bear an unfair share of the inevitable suffering. As a unionist, I cannot understand how anyone can object to the suspension of the industrial awards. I always stand for unionist principles, but at this time of national stress and strain, hard and fast rules must necessarily be suspended, and I feel sure that the majority of the workers of this Dominion will be willing -to take then' shaio with the employers. Now, sir, could not this desire .to distributo the burden be carried out in the Government services? At ordinary times permanent hands should certainly got the benefit every time, but these arq extraordinary times, and if it is right (I believe it is) to suspend the industrial awards, is it nol just as reasonable to suspend those privileges ordinarily duo to Government permanent hands? For instance, it is freely rumoured that all casual railway hands are to be dismissed and permanent hands reduced 10 per cent. " Now, sir, I submit that that is thrusting an unfair portion of the suffer' ing on a helpless portion of tho community. Of course, it is admitted at once that tho Government must do something to reduce expenses ; but would it^ not bo better to consider tho needs and claims of tho casual who has proVcdhis competency by several years of service? I have no doubt at nil but that the men themselves would be willing to take three days a week work so that doub.'e tiio uumbev of wvn iuigh.t be cuiplgyed^

If the Government had 600 loaves to distribute, surely the fairest method of doing it would be to give one loaf each to 600 men, rather than two leaveß each to 300 men. Moreover, I know for a fact that to make the distinction between permanents and casuals would be to give preference to many single men with only themselves to maintain, while many with six or seven to maintain woul^ be driven to starvation. If you would publioh this, I feel Bure its reasonableness would commend itself to a thoughtful Government at such a time as this. Reduce the 10 per cent, by all means, or 20 per cent., if necessary, but increase the number of shoulders to bear the burden. — I am, etc., BRITISH BROTHER. 10th August, 1914.

The weekly meeting of the Star of Wellington Lodge. 1.0. G.T., was held in St. Peter's Mission Hall, Taranakistreet. Bro. G. Fraser, C.T., presided over a good attendance. Quarterly reports from the various officers were received and adopted. Bro. A. B. Thomson, G.C.T:, at the request of the L.D., Bro. Wyse. installed the mewly-elected officers, assisted by Bro. R. Simpson and Sister Mumford, sen. Interesting addresses were given by the G.C.T. and C.T. upon the "State of the Order." Next meeting will be "A Fishing Excursion." No more dull evenings ! Right at your fireside you can ' enjoy the most jovial songs, the liveliest comic operas, and the masterpieces of sacred and secular music. All you need is a good Gramophone and a supply of records. The Gramophones stocked by The Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., include the world-famed "His Master's Voice." Being large importers, "The Dresden" people are able to sell these gramophones of superior quality at very Keen prices. Their supply of Records, from 3/6 each, is unrivalled in the Dominion and is being constantly augmented by new arrivals. You should visit "The Dresden's" Gramophone Parlour. The Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., Wellington. M. J. Brookes, North Island Manager.— Advt. Bridal shower bouquets are a feature of every pretty wedding. The choicest of blooms and most artistic designing are obtained at Miss Murray's, Vice-Regal Florist, 36, Willis-street. Country orders receive special attention. — Advt. Violets! Violets! Violeta ! Miss Cooper, floriste. Manners-street, ia *eceiving fresh daily her well-known beau* tiful violets. Posted to any addrees. Telephone 882.— Advt. When the lady of the house turns her thoughts towards handy household helps, she thinks instinctively of Oscar Hewett and Co. We arc sole agents for a wonderfully popular quartette :— The matchless Wertheim Sewing Machine, Hamson's Home Knitter, and Rotary Washing Machine. The fourth is not a household lielp, but a home necessity :— The incomparable Pathephone. The machine with a human voice by reason of its sapphire point reproducer. Loud enough for a concert hall, sweet enough for a drawing room. Agents 'in every town. Sole agents, Oscar Hewett and Co., 56,. CubaBticefc, Wellington. — Advt. Ladies y/Tio are interested in real la-bour-saving household novelties are invited to visit Moncricff and Young's hardware establishment opposite The Evening Post. A lady will- demonstrate the u«cs of the various articles from Monday, 3rd, to Saturday, 3th August — Advt.. Parents should buy in the cheapest market. We offer 10 per cent, off all juvenilo and other stock for purchases of 5s and over. Geo. Fowlds, Mannersstreet.—Advt. " Do you try to make- homo life pleasant for your son?" "Yes," replied Farmer Corntosscl. "But it's mighty hard to live up to tho refined ways he insist* on. I'mannoyin' him terrible because when I'm wdrkin' around tho barn I keep forgcttin 1 to refer to the j hayloft as the- mezzanine floor.''