A COMPLAINT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9090, 26 June 1888, Page 3

A COMPLAINT.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I desire on behalf of the working men taxpayers of the colony to say a few words in regards to the Civil Service octopus which is trying so hard to prevent us from keeping our heads above water. I have just discovered, what I am sure the general body of the public are not aware of viz., that the railway employees, their wives, or families, are allowed to travel on the lines at about one quarter the ordinary fare. I contend that railway servants are iu most instances, sufficiently well paid without) having perquisites of this sorb

allowed them ; and I consider it very little short of a robbery of the revenue. lam trying to make a living on my section of 33 acres by hard work and etern economy, and I trust I am worth as much to the colony as any ordinary railway servant. Then \vhy should not my wife go to Auckland and back eveiy week for 8d fare (the same aa some platelayers' wives do living near me), instead of being charged just four times that amount. I presume a storeman in the employ of a city merchant would nob be allowed to purchase a 10s box of tea for 28 6d merely becauee he wanted it tor his own use. Then why should we be fobbed in this wholesale manner all over the colony by an army of railway employeefi ?—I , am, &c, Country Settles. June 2oth, 1.888.