FARM WAGES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23447, 30 September 1941, Page 10

FARM WAGES

Sir,—ln reply to “Agricola,” I have been a station cook for 15 years. I have been to a score or more places during, that time, and I can say that living quarters, food, and wages are the lowest standard of any workers in this country. At the moment lam on a station that employs three married couples. They live in cottages built about 70 years ago. There is no electric light. They get free milk; they have to buy their butter, vegetables, frUit and coal, and the other “items” that “Agricola” says are so plentiful on farms. Broken and failing mouth ewe mutton they get at 3d per lb. I get the same stuff weighted out to me to cook for the single men on the place—a side weighing as low as 151b —just dog tucker. Will “Agricola” tell us if station hands shpuld have bacon, honey, dates, and dried fruits? We don’t get them here. The only vegetables I have had to cook in the last five weeks have been parsnips. Cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots—we have forgotten what they are like. On places that I have been three couples, three cooks, and three cowmen are engaged all the time; three are working, three are going, and three coming. This job cost me 4s 6d so if “Agricola cares or knows some friend he can have my job gratis, and if he does he might get those items that are so plentiful on farms and be. lucky enough to bring home the bacon. —Yours, etc., BACOFF. September 29, 1941. Sir, —“Agricola” misses or avoids the point in my letter. Farm wages have not been increased for some years, yet it has been necessary to grant a recent cost of living bonus to other workers. He refers to “usudl privileges,” and suggests free meat, dairy produce, vegetables, fruit, firewood, etc. Except for milk and vegetables, which I have to cultivate on Sundays, it sounds like a fairy tale to me. If those privileges were general, and recognised as a part of the worker’s income (as they should be), then he must have been amply paid in prewar days. “Agricola” must know that this was not so, and naturally, the position is much worse to-day.—Yours, etc KEROSENE. September 27, 1941, Sir,—After reading “Agricola’s” letter, I scanned the wanted advertisements and marvelled why so many married men worked in town for £4 odd a week when so many jobs worth over £6 a week in the country are going begging. Now let us analyse ■ the position as I see it. Let “Agricola” take “Kerosene’s” job. He will receive £3 2s 6d plus free house for a six-day week, and pays 7s 3d a week tax, which leaves £2 15s 3d net. Then he will find in nine cases out of ten that he has to buy his meat from the country butcher, and pay a penny a pound more than in town, and an average of 10 per cent. more, for his groceries. He is allowed to run a cow, and he will find a cow, separator, churn, etc., cost money. Firewood is to be had for the getting, but like milking the cow, it is done in “Agricola’s” time—or shall we say overtime? Vegetables can be grown in town backyards also. Electricity costs 3d or more 3 unit against id in town. As “Agricola” may be miles from the post office he will find a car (which costs money to buy and run) a necessity for his wife to collect her family allowance, etc., whereas in town a small tram fare is all that is required. No, I think after a month or two “Agricola” will be longing for his 40-hour a week job in the city with its many comforts and conveniences.—Yours, etc., STILL MORE KEROSENE. September 29, 1941.