COASTAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 434, 5 June 1902, Page 3

COASTAL CORRESPONDENCE.

MAORI LABOR. (To the Editor of the Times). Sir, —Your correspondent “ Worker ” has opened, up a big subject in the above, and I should like to hear what remedy ho suggests. At the present time tho settlers on the Coast are dependent on the natives to do their shearing, bushfeliing, and all odd jobs, and as they are prepared to be reasonable in their demands for payment, which most of the European workmen aro not, thov of course got most of tho work that is going. There are very few settlers on the Coast that aro earning tho asio int per day that the ordinary colonial workman asks for his services, and the only chance we have of paying our way is by employing tho natives at a reasonable wago.—l am, etc., Old Identity.

Waipiro, May 31st. (To the Editor of the Times)

Sin, —“ Worker’s ” letter in your last Thursday’s paper with regard to tho employment of Maori labor at a loss rate than Europeans will toil for has my fullest sympathy, but at tho samo timo I cannot see how things can bo improved. It is impossible for us to form a union, as tho district is a most scattered one, and even if such an organisation were formed it would not bo of rnuoh use owing to the ignorance and want of business knowledge of the natives. If a work of tho value of £4O is to be let by tender, and a Maori is told that some particular person is putting in for £‘26, he will straightaway go and pub in for £ls or £2O. They really have no idea what they are tendering for, and as a rule lose money over every job they take. In regard to bushfalling, in which I personally am interested, the prices aro kept down to bed-rock, owiDg to tho Natives. Tho latter will take a small job for 18s or 20s an aero, which is well worth from 25s to 27a 6d, and they aro satisfied to make starvation wages out of it. A big contract they will not look at, or if they aro induced to take one tho owner of the bush generally is the loser, and has to fall back on tho white man to complete tho work. The Maoris like a piece of bush that they can get through in a few weeks, and with tho few pounds thus obtained they can bavo a glorious drunk. As to station work, the Natives are, as a rule, paid about a pound a week and found, but the average station-holder gets better value from a white man whom he pays 25s to 27s 6d and found. As the Maori gets more civilised, ho will, no doubt, put a higher figure on his work. —I am, etc., Tui.

REPLY TO “ J.N.” (To the Editor of the Times.) Sir,—Through the medium of your over appreciable Times allow a little fresh air to be in the region of that wonderful exponent of plagiarism, excontricity and culture “ J.N.” It is to bo much regretted that his extensive, though poor suffering head, oannot find more exalted consolation than rosting most idiotically upon “ signs of joss-houses.” Being a past medical student, it is therefore apparent to me his brain is tarnished and nerves raging by the excessive inhalation of proof opium, while he is totally out of his aspiring eloment. Perhaps a trip back home to flowery Foochow could be advocated as a partial relief, but in the interim just let him try a good old Turkish bath threo times a day, remove the outward sign of manliness (whiskers), and attend night school regularly, “ discarding dictionaries,” and his recovery, like the braying mule, is possible.—l am, etc., Correspondent.

CORONATION HONORS.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —Your correspondent, “ Observer,” seems to have made up his mind that Captain Russell is to be knighted, but I think he will find out that ho has made a mis take, and that before tho end of the month. If there is anybody entitled to that honor it is Mr Seddon or “ Our Own Jimmy.” It was once said of the latter that he was born tired and never got over it, but with the backing of the Prince of Wales ho ought to stand as good a show as anyone. Anyhow, Captain Bussell has no special qualification, except that of being a gentleman and of a generous disposition, and we could all bo that if we were as well off. If you want the Captain’s character no one is better able to supply it than MiMickey Mullooly of our township.—l am, etc., Benighted. Tolago Bay, June 2.