FARMERS' WIVES & 40 HOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 8

FARMERS' WIVES & 40 HOURS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Listening to Mr. Nash the other evening I was gratified to learn that at last the value of women's and children's work on farms was being recognised. . But what about the 40-hour week for their wives? Is not this legislation going to encourage also the exploitation of women and children? And how is the wage of the women going to be assessed? (Per hour or per factory rate?) Many farmers will now try to add to their incomes by keeping as much farm work as possible within the family circle. Even many of the women will be willing to sacrifice their health and nerves by doing two jobs, although their place is supposed to be in the house—cooking, cleaning, and looking after the children. Gorse and ragwort cutting, chickens and sick calves, are not nice jobs in cold, wet weather for women to attend to.

Some women will be tempted to work on the farms in order that they may decorate the back parlour with some of the lovely things, coveted by most women. However, the time to enjoy a glimpse of these luxuries would be limited to a few minutes just before going to bed, tired out, at about 9 p.m.—l am, etc.,

A COW-COCKY'S FRIEND.