"PLENTY OF WORK OFFERING."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 6

"PLENTY OF WORK OFFERING."

"True Justice" writes in your issue of the 17th inst. under the above heading. Some time ago a farmer in the King Country when in Auckland told me they could not get labour up his way. Indians (of whom there are many) demanded fourteen shillings per day, and got it. A few days ago in a letter from a friend I am told that the above farmer requires men for bush clearing and has tried the King Country and as far south as the Manawatu district for European labour, without success. He does not wish to employ Indians. Another farmer, only seven miles from the Waikato town named in your correspondent's letter, told me about two years ago he could not get labour because he was too far out for them to go into the pictures a few times weekly. Another case in a fine district. A man was given a rise in wages by his employer as ho was a good worker. Shortly afterwards lie left, went to another farm nearer the township on much less pay, just because he could get to the pictures more frequently. Everyone is entitled to take or refuse work; no one can deny them that right. The justice of the peace referred to probably knows as well, or better, than "True Justice" whether work is to be obtained or not. If, therefore, men, or women, will not take work when it is to be got, can one wonder there is not quite so much sympathy shown them as they would wish for? BEEN THROUGH THE MILL