AGITATORS AND SUCH.

Southland Times, Issue 14032, 13 February 1909, Page 5

AGITATORS AND SUCH.

CONCERNING MR A. 11. CAMPBELL. (Special To The Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 12. Regarding the case of A. 11. Campbell, who was dismissed from the Domett Railway Co-operative Works and then reinstated, to-night’s Truth says: “The solicitous regard of the Hon. R. XI. McKenzie for his co-operative labourers is indeed touching. The official in charge of the works at Domett sacked one of them, and although no reason was given, the circumstances suggest that the man was one of those stormy petrels that are so common in this part of the industrial world, agitators with a perfect genius for stirring up labour troubles, and fostering discontent amongst men who would otherwise go quietly on with their work. Yet, because this man gets the ear (or the leg) of a newspaper and semis disrespectful telegrams lo the .Minister, the Hon. R. McKenzie takes him at his own valuation, and orders his reinstatement before even asking the official for an explanation. Meanwhile the man, having found a softer job, stands on i his dignity and loftily scorns Miuisi terial favours. If Mr McKenzie is I going on like tiiis the co-operative labourer will soon regard himself as the king-pin of the whole machine, the pivot round which tiie country revolves. But whatever may bo in store for us, surely we have not reached that stage yet.”