THE CO-OPERATIVE VOTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3003, 15 December 1896, Page 4

THE CO-OPERATIVE VOTE.

i’O TilE EDITOB. Sin. —I would crave ycilr indulgence to gnablu mo to say something io reply to tile rcmaiks of your contemporary in Saturday’s issue, entitled “The Vote of the Co-operative.” Before the election I was getting tired of the twaddle and gas that was being spasmodically exploded by your contemporary and its advocates. I came to the conclusion long ago that the editor or the individual who wrote the leading articles never had to earn his bread by the sweat of hia brow, or had any practical experience of the wants and requirements of the workers. A few weeks ago your contemporary was giving t'et'baUnl reports of . orations delivered by Xndeparident Ililierals on the low wages given on co-operative works. Now it turns round, and shows that the men were so satisfied with, tho co-opera-tive worts that 86'of them gave a block vote for a Government candidate. . If these 50 men were not getting a living wage they would not be on tne works, nor yet would the Government get their votes. As to tire continual qry of “spoils, to the victors,” “ rewards and punishments,” I might state that I worked on tho cooperative works for five months once, and got there through the influence of a strong Independent Liberal M.H.R. (nofra strong Government one). Iha 4 tliree good men fc).* iflates; add on ollr contracts we averaged 10s (id a fiay, working eight hours. We had privations to endure j provisions had to bo carted 28 miles, and four miles of that we, had, to swag them on our backs. If the rivers .were in flood for throe or four days tho foe would lie on the opposite side. It cost a halfpenny, a Jlj for cartage, besides tho dearness oif provisions. I'here were men on the same worts', had the sumo class of ground to go through, the same price per yard for shifting earth 1 , sandstone, formation of roads, but they did not make 3s 6d a day. Why ? Because they were not as thrifty, although physically as strong. If it was a cloudy morning they didn’t care to leave the camp for fear of a wotting | their picks always wanted pointing; or they had a new gnu or a couple of good dogs, and would sooner go pig hunting. The result! The end of the mpntlj paiiiej and they hardly luid erioUgfi to meet their store accounts. Dissatisfied, and, discontented they returned to town, got lipid of (ha editor of an Opposition organ, and vilified the Government,,. Other individuals would return from the works satisfied ; men who, by hard work, enduring privations, and by energy, had got a, reasonable return. On proclaiming their gratitude for labour oatfle co-operative prinpiplo,, the foes of tho Government again cried out about the large prices given to co-operative labourers I I would like to ask the members of the Independent Liberal Party who have co-operative works in, their constituencies if they. woflhl like them abolished? No, they would not; they dare not, and for why ? Because the works are a source of securing votes at election times. How do I know ? Because I have worked with men on those works, and it is not the Government who gets the thanks, but tho individual who exerts his influence on their behalf. It stands to reason that in towns, where there are a number of local men out of work, if the representative can get them work on adjacent co-operative works it means bread and butter to them, and bo' they Government, Independents or Conservatives, out of gratitude they will get the men’s vote. The same Ijoliis good by land settlement, It is no use opponents trying to throw dust in tho eyes of those who have been benefited by tho administration of the present Government. Do you think any individual who for months has been out of work and gets employment on the co-operative works, gets his living and a fair return by honest hard work, or the crowds who have taken up, sections and small farms, and can see better prospects before them, are going to go back on the bridge that carried them over ? What a lot of rubbish and claptrap it is to bo continually harping about Government billets, iVc., and being suspicious of every individual who dares to take up the cudgels in the Government's defence. I have worked at all classes of labour for private employers and for the Government, both with the pen and the pick and shovel, and for every penny that has been earned for either party I feel under no obligation, as they have received full value. Trusting you will forgive me for taking up so much of your valuable space, —I am, &0., Ex-Co-opebative Laboubeb.