ASHBURTON OPINIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8443, 10 August 1911, Page 7

ASHBURTON OPINIONS.

In viow of the movement on the part ol the Farm Labourers' Union to again cite the _ farmers to appear before the Arbitration Court to show reason why an award should not be made in favour of the labourers, one of our reporters approached several farm workers and asked them to state their grievances.

The first worker approached said that, as far as he was personally concerned, he had no grievance to make. "I am receiving the wage I asked for when engaged, my ' employer provides good accommodation and I have the same class of food and sit at the sam© table as my employer and his family. If I desire a day off when work is slack, my employer grants it without any hesitation. I endeavour to do my work as thoroughly as possible, and in this respect I am given -an almost free hand. What more could a man desire?"

Another worker, when approached, had a somewhat different story to tell. He said that, while the food he was supplied with was all that could -be desired, the accommodation provided was very bad, and his employer oxpected him to work long hours ' with a team of horses that was not actually fit for the work. The farmer, he said, objected to him feeding the horses as they should be fed, and, as a 1 result of this and over-work, the animals were in wretched condition, and notwithstanding the difficulties under which he was labouring, the farmer expected a full, day's, work. He was getting fairly good wages, but would be prepared to accept a lower rate, provided he was compensated *|uy good accommodation, reasonable hours of work and a team that was able to do its work without being forced. When asked to express his views, a third worker said he was entirely opposed to the action of the Union in its attempts to cause strife between master and man. He admitted that he was not a member of the Union, arid as far as his knowledge went he thought the farm labourers in the Ashburton County were well treated and had no just cause for complaint. The rate of wage was fully 10s per week better than it was a few years ago, and the conditions, except in a few isolated cases, had also considerably improved. His opinion was that a man could save more money An the country than the town workers, who were perhaps in receipt of higher wages, and he added, the class of work is decidedly more healthy.

These and other opinions obtained by our reporter indicate that, ,as far as the Ashburton County is concerned, the case for the Labourers' Union is decidedly weak.

Scour among ,pigs may often be avoided by keeping the trough and swill barrel clean. : s

, Grooming the horse in winter helps the circulation and improves his general condition.

Not " good methods " but " the very best methods possible," should be every farmer's motto to-day.

According to a King Country correspondent lambing has begun in a number of districts, and as' the-present weather is very fine and genial the lambs are looking particularly strong.

There is every indication of an early spring in the Waikato. Cows are already coming into profit, the creameries are opening, and the price of butter to the consumer will soon be brought within more reasonable limits.

It is stated that in all probability the New Zealand Department of Agriculture will make a display of produce, etc., on the lines of the displays exhibited at the various winter shows,.'at the coming Industrial Exhibition in Christ-church. / '

Crown lands to be opened for selection during the month of August total 338,598 acres. In the Wellington district heavy bush land, and village homestead allotments will be disposed of by sale, lease, and otherwise.

An experiment in maize-growing in the Marton district (Rangitikei) proved that 8-J- acres of maize kept 400 lambs for two months. This crop will be very largely grown for-'silage'purposes in the-Wairarapa this season.

Settlers in the Masterton district intend devoting themselves more largely this season to the breeding of draught horses than in previous years (says an exchange). The demand for draught stock for export has depleted the district of a great many of the most serviceable horses.

How is it possible to discover whether a cow is suffering from milk fever or contagious mammitis? This was a question put to Mr D.H. Rait in Masterton on Saturday last. The veterinarian replied that samples of the milk should be placed in bottles, sealed, and sent to the Government Laboratory for analysis.; When 'cows were suspected of contagious mammitis they should at once be isolated.