THE SHAG POINT STRIKE. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8821, 3 June 1890, Page 3

THE SHAG POINT STRIKE. TO THE EDITOR.

Sik, —I am glad to see the name of Messrs Hazlett and Glendining appear in to-day's issue as a protest to the reported remarks of the R.M. j at Palmerston. We hear of the rights of labour, and labour has its rights with accompanying responsibilities, we may add ; but it seems to me that if every demand is listened to there will be an end to a well-directed enterprise with accompanying return to tho happy-go-lucky policy of former days. With regard to any persecution, undus harshness, or spirit of revenge suggested on tho part of Messrs Hazlett and Gleudiniiig,'l can on!y say that judging from your usually reliable report there is not the slightest evidence. The men' have decided to leave tho collic-ry—by all means; seqvJtur, their late employers require tho use of the mine cottages for incoming tenants. Surely no one will differ from that proposition. I may state that I have had a business acquaintance dating from 1876 with Mr Glendiuiag'in his position'as resident partner of ■ Rosa and Glendii.'ing, and I have not met in my j walk through lifo a man who strikes mo as acting in a moro considerate and honourable way to i all, of course on lines of ordinary usage. I ought to know, having been iv their employ, and now iv my own capacity for some years past doing business with over 30 British and colonial houses, there is no firm we have more reliance on for genuine straightforward conduct, Further, with the largo staff required for the general routine and making-up departments of a drapery house, we work on the same lines as, have contributed to Mr Glendining's success with satisfactory results, and thus far nothing but the best feelings have ever existed between employers and employed.

It may be said, What has all this to do with the case in dispute? I reply it has all to do with it. I for one take people as I find them, and can speak from an independent standpoint, having nothing to fear or ask from anybody. It stands to reason that if people through a lifetime frequently committed to and engaged in complicated arrangements have sejdom or never been round wanting, it can ho faisly accepted that honest and kindly dealing is the genera! tenor of their lift-, and lh«y can bo fully trusted on all occasions to do the right thing.

The matter is in a nutshell. Somo branches of workers have agitated with moyo or less right for certain improved arraagontentSi and have had a measure of success. The great mass of mankind ever want a royal rosul to fortune, and "Agitate" is now the watchword. No one would withhold what is right, but undue de? mands will only endanger even a good oauae. To my mind, people in receipt of regularly paid incomes are tho best-off portion of the community. CJraspiDg the advantages and disadvantages of their position, and placing in I contradistinction the men who_ brought money ! into ths country, invested in business and managed to keep it, at present time they can be counted on one's fingers iv any district. On ths otliei' band, any person here, however poor in 'pocket, who disciplines his or her self, carries a marshal's baton now, and will wield it somo da;/ if they care to,

iv conclusion, these gentlemen (Messrs HHalett and Gleniliiiing) aro entitled, in tny mind, to the thanks of the community for entering on a laudable business venture outside their own lines, and I speak of one member iv the enterprise as I have found him,—l am, &c, Tiruaru, May SO, Tnos. Thomson.