TAPANUI MONOPOLY AND INTIMIDATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13673, 16 August 1906, Page 10

TAPANUI MONOPOLY AND INTIMIDATION.

TO THK y.niTOR. Sts,—Owing to some recent events here, perhaps you might favour mo with space in your columns for the following few remarks. For rears pa«t Tapanui has been recognised by commercial travellers and' others as a fair field for business, and loeal business men have worked harmoniouslv in the past, each plying his respective calling to_thc beet advantage. But unfortunately tilings of late have ohangcd: the harmony that hitherto existed is ' replaced by each endeavouring to encroach so far as possible upon another's business. In some eases it is i.aidiiiat i lie-encroachment has been so great ihat every trade has been interfered with, with liie exception of the blacksmith nnd hairdresser, antl report lias it that in a short time these will be added 10. The commercial traveller in the post lias had every liberty extended to him for the prosecution of the sa'e of his wares and the choice of his own place of residence; but on this tho curtain has also been dropped, and the British liberty ihat we are all so proud to boast about has been withdrawn from him. Xo longer dots ho possess the liberty of choosing his place of abode, but must go where ordered. Business men in the past have only Wen anxious io serve; but now ir- seems they must be obeyed, otherwise no business can be done. Like the centurion ri old, they say, "Go, and he goeth; coir.e, and he comoth," and up to the present have met with wonderful success. Now, Sir, the question arises, Ave the people of Uiis district going to stand quietly by nnd allow this reign of despotism to continue? Surely not. Thus begun, it is hard to say i how it might end. Not only will commercial travellers bo treated as stated, but in all probability every visitor will be treated in a like manner. Then what will lie the result': Not only should the people of this district strongly condemn such a staie of affairs, but, also, tho wholesale firms in rimiedin and elsewhere who employ travellers should see that tho liberty which evefy British subject should possess is extended to them.—l am, etc., OnsEnvEß.