Hawkers and Travellers.

Southland Times, Issue 15075, 22 October 1901, Page 4

Hawkers and Travellers.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — A letter of mine under the above heading, appeared in yonr paper of 6th September last. I fully expected there would be more than one reply to some of my statements, bnt, so far. the letter has been treated with silent contempt. The letter, taken as a whole, was a distinct I challenge, but no one has lifted my glove. I I brought a serious charge again3t a seemingly respectable class of men, and no one has denied the charge, nor has anyone attempted to excuse it. What conclusion is the public to draw from this silence ? What other judgment can the people arrive at than that my statements are true ? And that they are so no one of average reasoning powers will venture to deny In all that I am Trrititig I am guided simply by a wish to remodv what J honestly consider to be a great evil and an injustice to a large class of the community, and pressing most heavily of all on a small and lam afraid rather a despised class : I mean the licensed hawkers. But the country storekeeper still looks on with stoical indifference. Is there not a writing man among the crowd who would send a few line 9 backing me up. No ; they leave me alone to grapple single-handed with this hydra-headed monster of civilization : I can find no fitter term for it ; for it really is the very personification of selfishness and grab. I shall give these commercial gentlemen travellers no rest until I have them down begging for mercy with my sword's point at their throat and a steel pen in their eye. — I am, &c, B. D. Ferrar. Otautau, Oct. 19th.