A PLEA FOR HONEST TOIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5730, 27 October 1905, Page 7

A PLEA FOR HONEST TOIL.

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”) . Sir,—Mr Chamberlain, a visitor to Wellington, said we wanted more smokestacks about. If that gentleman would only study onr labour laws, with all their harassing restrictions, he would then know that the lot of the manufacturer is not a “happy one” in this walledin country. No doubt Mr Chamberlain likened it to the States, forgetting tho eight hours eixating hero with the long list of holidays, and the time and l attention given to horse-racing, football, etc. Really the result ■of the games being played in England seems to be the all-absorbing topic just now. We do not put enough energy into °hr )T ork ’ we exc ®l at games. Rugby and two-up" are our forte. Let us pay more attention to that which is most beuefic’.al—honest toll. History tells ns the Roman Empire fell through devoting .• to pleasure. Already the Asiatic is elbowing tho European out; Otafci. for instance, is full of Chinese gardeners. Why don’t the natives till the soil r No; the modern native youth is devoted to flash dress and billiard tables, etc. Unlike the. good old Maori, w - ho was industrious, the young aboriginal has the Stud Book at his finger-tips; but ask him. anything concerning his forefathers’ arts or handicrafts, and he knows nothing.—l am, etc., AGRICOLA. • Otaki, October 24th.