STOLEN PAPERS,

NZ Truth, Issue 62, 25 August 1906, Page 8

STOLEN PAPERS,

"TRUTH'S" MANAWATU PARCELS.

Mr. Essex Explains and Complains.

A few weeks ago ."Truth" published the following paragraph : "Seekers after "Truth" arc-so m earnest on the Manawatu line that they are helping themselves from the agents' paresis en route. . It'll be a cold, hard truth m the shape of a month or so m durance vile that one of these petty pilferers will light on shortly." Shortly after publication of this paragraph one of the Palmerston agents, Mr Richard' Essax, called at the office and m the absence of the Editor left a message reouesting that the paragraph be contradicted as it cast a reflection upon the Manawatu Railway employees, and they were making things unpleasant lon him- m consequence, thinking that he had made the complaint. As "Truth" has fifty agents between here and New Plymouth, and the paragraph did not say that the railway officials were responsible for the thefts, no notice was taken of Mr Essex's request.. The paragraph was perfectly -true m every, respect, arid what is more, since its appearance there has been a pleasant absence of letters from agents complaining of broken parcels and miss me papers. But for some reason or other Mr Essex still feels that the Manawatu officials have a grievance and that it is his duty to see them righted. He also alleges that the paragraph has very largely interfered with his sales, as the following letter forwarded this week for publication, will show :— , To the Manager, ' N.Z. "Truth," 'Wellington. ! Dear Sir, Early m this month I called at your office, and explained that you were sending me a great deal to many papers, mostly . caused by an 1 unfair, paragraph, stating that the. "■ employees of the Manawatu Co. broached cargo of "Truth's." I explained to man m charge of office how unfair to me, and he promised it should, be contradicted m next issue. This has not been done, If you want your papers sold you must assist me-^-not publish untrue statements. I have quite trouble enough m running my business without you making it worse my money is too good to allow you to publish falsehoods, about me without refutation. | Also lam beholding to the Manawatu Rly. Co. for many kindnesses. Their employees has always assisted me m a most difficult and oft times unpleasant business, I have always found the employees of the Manawatu Co. most . obliging and honest, If .'they want a paper other , than those given by news paper proprietors, the* jask for one (or as the case may be) and me or my employees always gives a paper, so there is no necessity to , steal as you say they do.

And m a continuation of the same -letter, (not for publication) Mr Essex asks that we "contradict your libel re stealing of my papers." As Mr Essex had never ' complained about his papers being stolen we have no interest whatever m saying they have been, but- Mr Essex must remember that he is only _ one out ofl dozens Who sell "Truth" along that line, and that he has had no cause for complaint is no reason why others should have been similarly lucky. And we would also like to point out to Mr Essex that if the railway employees are so honest and so obliging to .him' as he says (and we have no reason to doubt him) why should they suspect him of laying a complaint to "Truth" about something he sq emphatically asserts never happens. And also if the railway employees are such paragons of virtue and rectitude, why should the mere suspicion that he was the instigator of such an innocent little paragraph iniure his business on the trains ? If Mr Essex Will point out m what particular way the paragraph injures his business, we will make every contradiction we truthfully can, but it seems to us that he is barking up the wrong sapling altogether. What we will not contradict, but most emphatically adhere to is that the parcels between Wellington and New Plymouth are subject to very rough handling and copies are freouently missinjr. and we have numerous agents' letters to prove it. ' -