CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN ON FARMS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22108, 2 June 1937, Page 7

CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN ON FARMS

TO THE EDITOB OF THB PBISS Sir,—ln answer to "Run Down Farm Cook's" letter recently, if these letters were referred to some responsible officer of the Labour Department, requesting a more lucid explanation of paragraph 2 in the "Agricultural Worker*' Extension Order," it would ease the minds of many badly abused labourers' wives on farms. If he would specify the wage due to these women for their multifarious duties and also what allowance they are entitled to for the keep of other farm labourers, it would relieve a lot of discontent. Some of the more broadminded employers have met the position immediately and have allowed a decent wage to these women for their onerous duties; others are waiting for their employees to ask for their dues, or until an inspector enforces the act. —Yours, etc., STILL ANOTHER COOK. May 29, 1937. [Mr R. T. Bailey, Officer in Charge of the Labour Department, said that wages must be paid at a rate agreed upon by the employer and employee, and failing an agreement the matter should be referred to the Labour Department.] TO THE EDITOS OF THB PBE3S. Sir.—"Run-down Farm Cook" Is quite right to attract attention to a very real

The small working farmer and his wife, who are on a budget, are placed in a similarly unfair position. lam assured, on reliable authority, that the living allowance, or wages, allowed by the Government (as landlord or mortgagee) to the farmer-manager amounts to less than £3 a week, withqut keep. Out of this the working farmer has to keep not only himself and his wife in food, clothing, and household necessaries, but, incredible as it seems, farm labour (at harvest or shearing time several men as well) in food. Bread, oatmeal, sugar, tea, flour, and many other groceries expected «\ t-ne "keep" do not grow on the farm. In this case the employee, the farm labourer, often inexperienced and wmiout responsibility, is considerably better off with £2 2s 6d and keep (or £3 and find himself) than his employer. Is not IMS grossly unfair? Another thirg, why is the cook rot paid, whether she be farmer's or labourer's May 28. 1937.