FARM LABOUR AND PUBLIC WORKS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 20

FARM LABOUR AND PUBLIC WORKS

TO THE IDITOH OF THE PHBM. Sir—As a farm labourer I should very much like to bring to the notice of the general public the grave hardships we are suffering on the land, working long-hour days with very little pay. It seems to me the farmer can pay what he likes and ; if one stops to pick up a paper one will see every day some “cocky” applying for a boy or,a youth at 17s 6d to £1 a week.' As /soon as they become of age and are eligible for a rise they are sacked for asking for a rise, and the farmer once again goes for cheap labour. One will hear the old cry, “We are not in a position to pay big wages.” But they can fly about in big cars to all the little “shintys” in the district. . . . , We have heard a lot about the Labour Government and its so-called Agricultural Workers Bill, but I notice nothing was published about wages. It seems to me the.sooner we. form a farm labourers’ union it will be better for ourselves and let’s hope that all farm workers will stand firm for their rights.—Yours, etc.. . HARD HIT. P.S.—Could you inform me what wages have been set out by the present Government by their Agricultural Bill. Are farm hands entitled to a half-day a week? September 26,1936.

[The minimum rates for agricultural workers on dairy farms as set out in the Agricultural Workers Act are as follows; Under 17 years, 17s 6d; 17 but under 18, £1 2s 6d; 18 but under 19, £1 7s 6d; 19 but under 20. £1 12s 6d; 20 but under 21, £1 17s 6d; 21 upwards, £2 2s 6d. Board and lodging are to be supplied or else 17s 6d extra pay in each case. The section relating to holidays, also applicable only to dairy farms, provides that each worker shall get at least seven days in every 12 weeks at such , time as the employer shall see flit; and a minimum, of, 28 year. If half days from nooh are given, additional holidays of..,at least 14 days must be allowed.— Ed., “The Press.’-3 . . ?