THE SPECIALS.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 270, 5 December 1913, Page 2

THE SPECIALS.

TO THE EDITOR. SIR, --In reply to certain criticisms of a statement which bore my signature, 1 should like to draw the attention of the public to a few lads, which are as follows : (i) 1 have been maliciously ; Backed for making the said statement, as it has been asserted that by so doing, 1 “traitorously endeavoured to slander the Farmers’ Union,” and (2) that it was false and misleading. Now, Sir,

l take it that the main bone of contention is, that 1 stated the Jact that we farmers went to Auckland to load butter only, and

when I said that, I certainly meant it.

In explanation I must state : at a meeting held at Tc Awamutu on November 2nd, I was approached by an official of the Farmers’ Union to go to Auckland as a “special constable” and 1 refused urging that 1 had two brothers there who were in sympathy with the strikers, and'that such being the case, it was hardly likely I would go there to crack them over the head to the interests 'of .the employers, but I was told I should be expected to go purely in the interests of the farmers, to assist in the loading of the butter. I asked if I should be expected to assist in the handling of general cargo, and was told NO, and that the merchants could look after their own stuff, and which 1 undoubtedly think is their duty, as they are the ones directly interested. 1 was also told at the above meeting that the freezing chambers were practically full, and that milk could only be taken at creameries for six more days. This, if it was the case,.l knew woulfl mean ruination to hundreds of us small dairy farmers, I decided to go and assist in getting the butter loaded. Had I thought for a moment that my services would have been needed in either interests than those of farmers, I should certainly have remained at home, for I. am a strong believer in the proverb, “ Man, Mind Thyself.” As to my “traitorously endeavouring to damage the Farmers’ Union,” such a statement is ridiculous in the extreme, for I had nothing to gain by such a contemptible act, but quite the reverse, seeing that I am a farmer, residing amongst farmers, and it was as much to my interest as theirs to have the butter exported. It has been asserted that while acting as a “special constable”! was in the pay of the strike committee. In all fairness I must say that' I was not accused of this by the Farmers’ Union, but it has, I have been led to believe, been circulated throughout this district. Such an assertion is too cowardly and contemptible to warrant a reply. In conclusion I wish to state that, while being quite prepared to do my duty to the producer of the staple product of this country, I do not wish to be disloyal to my old fellow-unionists, with whom 1 was associated for 16 years, and that 1 have no'sympathy with the policy, which would coerce them under the injustices of the administration of the Arbitration Act, which is undoubtedly the main cause of the present industrial upheaval. 1 might add that I have received congratulations from many farmers regarding the stand I have taken, and I am very glad to know there are some broad-minded men among our worthy • settlers—the farmers. —I am, etc.,

Raymond Grace.'