MORE COMPLAINTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 March 1930, Page 8

MORE COMPLAINTS

(To the Editor) Sir. —Although 1 am not a "Son of the soil," I feel it my duty as -a citizen and ratepayer of Nelson, to endorse the remarks of "Producer" on the maladministration iof those responsible for looking after the interests of the fruit growers of Nelson District. At the same time, I wish to publicly ask the members of the board of the Nelson Harbour, if, in view of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in connection with wharf employment and fruii'cxport, their resignation would not materially benefit Nelson ratepayers and fruit growers. I wish it to be fully understood that this is devoid of malicious or insulting intent. The existing state of affairs is deplorable. First we have the employment problem, whereby strangers to our land, town, and wharf receive employment before men, who, with unfailing..regularity attend the waterfront during the year. Many of these men are married and have families to support. Secondly we have the fruit export, Nelson's main industry. Instead of having overseas vessels, revenue and work-producing factors, calling here for loading purposes, we kindly send the fruit to Wellington and allow the Wellington Harbour Board to leap a rich harvest while the Nelson ratepayers pay for dredging the local harbour etc. Again ; there is the extra Is per case, which, on 600,000 cases amounts to £30.000, most of which goes to people who are r>lso offenders in the employment problem. Only to-day, a man who owns four toma'io-houses ami a. valuable property, pushed his way past tlie casual wharfies, and asked for a'job, needless to say lie was successful. Of course all this has been discussed before and as the people in question are beyond public jurisdiction, I expect the only thing toi do, is to grrin and bear it tyaf\ l .at the same time not lose, sight, of the fact, that, there are only two • classes, the ■'."Exploited and the Exploiters." Tn conclusion, I would (ike to add. that, for the same reason as "Graft," 1 will have to continue wearing the cloak of a nom de plume, 'until such time as those in question ' make it unnecessary for me to do so. I iam etc., PANAMA HARRY. ; [ Nelson, 28th March. -