CONDITIONS COMPARED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 128, 26 November 1937, Page 8

CONDITIONS COMPARED

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a letter appearing in tile issue of the "Evening Post" dated 20th instant, and under the nom-de-plume "Semper Fidelis," which means "Always Faithful." It affords me great pleasure to know that any remarks I have made bearing upon industrial, economic, and commercial relationship as gleaned from observation during my visit abroad, have interested anyone, and especially one, who so prides himself in hiding under the assumed name of "Always Faithful." In this correspondence I shall measure his faithfulness by the timidity that prompted his nonentity, or the burial of his personality, and shall content myself with inviting him at any time at his and my convenience to discuss the whole matter at my offlce.-

I believe that' it is clear to your readers that "Semper Fidelis," if he ever visited or lived in Great Britain, it must be at least thirty years ago, and his knowledge of hours of work, wages and conditions and price levels, coupled with the international action of British employers, and Government against the 40-hour week, and other important conventions bearing upon the working class welfare is "non est." "Faithful always'" is, however, not faithful enough to give New Zealand, which I presume is now Ms home, the credit it is entitled to as foremost in the progressive march of nations. New Zealand is truly God's own country. I might add that this correspondence so far as lam concerned is closed from now on.—l am, etc.,

J. TUCKER, Secretary Jstoremen and Packers' Union.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —May I have the usual courtesy to reply to "Homie," who was so interested in my letter concerning conditions in the "Homeland." He states that he is better off, as he terms it Well, individually, he may be correct, for the same reason that I may declare the opposite in my cue, as my military pay, for instance, was in excess of what. I receive here as a skilled City Council employee. But, let us confine ourselves to generalities. I don't know what part of the Old Country the correspondent referred to, but I know his citations are fantastic, as, having ifirt of the family at Home, and the remainder here, and correspondence and papers reaching me by every mail, I know that what I quoted is correct. Comparing the mode of living of those at Home, with what I am receiving here, it is no superior to what I was able to enjoy in the Homeland for a similar class of employment. I would like to state that I am one of a largo family, and, although-my father was only a skilled labourer, I received a secondary education in one of the large secondary schools in the city, where practically all the students were of similar working-class parents as pertain in this or any other country.

My friend considers that I; must have been a member of an exceptional union; but as he probably left the Old Country in the pre-war days, and may not: have been too conversant with the industrial unions of that time, and ; certainly not of post-war, days, I shall be only too pleased, as an ex-executive member of a union at Home, and in New Zealand, to give him assurance of the correctness of what I state.

I believe the British Government has completed a building programme of something like a million and a, half hew houses since the Armistice. I have a brother occupying one of these new houses, which have every convenience that would, satisfy even my correspondent, who should have a good look around Wellington at some of the deplorable-buildings for which very high rents are asked. I take very strong exception to the correspondent's quotations concerning the prices of clothes, footwear, and dress materials, and especially of children's wear. If I. cannot convince. him, let him inquire of any married service men now serving in New Zealand waters. In conclusion, let me • state that as I have settled here and have i family responsibilities,,l strive to be a contented and useful - citizen of New Zealand, proud to be in any country under British rule, but-1 am always ready to combat any disparaging remarks about the Homeland which are not correct, and concerning which much has been made, of late, just to claim an extraordinary superiority in the conditions afforded us in New Zealand.—l ami etc., ■ .

SEMPER FIDELIS.