FARM LABOURERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13137, 27 May 1903, Page 4

FARM LABOURERS.

TO TUB EIIITOR. Sir, —Tho farm labourers* meeting ah Ferndale, reported in your iasuo of _ May 15, was not held a day too span. Existing conditions are so much him black shivery, they aro a disgrace to the British. Empire. On that very day I fled from timsa conditions, after three weeks’ unbearable experiences. Tho hours of toil w-ma from «Brliest dawn till after sunset; from- Monday morning until Saturday night. Tim pay was, two learners, 15s and 16ss per week. Tim sleeping accommodation was unfit for negro slaves. There! was no sitting-room nor fireplace. Tho food was excellent; hut, then, so was that of tits working horses. Three days’ rain, set in; there heuig r.o fireplace, there was no chance of drying boots or clothing, nor keeping ourselves warm. The work was men's work, loading sacks of corn and potatoes and ploughing. Tho very highest rate of wage obtainable by most experienced and proficient trorfcmeu is but 20s per week, j.eb anyone try, and imagine how a married man could possibly support a wifa and family, and pay nil tho existing customs duties, pn 20s. It is a great wonder employers wait to bo asked to improve, cither accommodation cr remuneration; for they have the alternative of paying tho men hotter wages or giving tho land-ownors higher rates. They readily increase their pay to Ihe landowner, who does not lift a little finger in tho work of tho farm, and leave tho indispensable and diligent furm-workers’ wages as scanty as can be. My reply to “ Ragan’s ” letter is that it- in the vain endeavour of farnurs to taiisfy the laudowners’ demands that starves tho men in their wages and leisure. The. farm I was on was worth £2O per awe a- few years ago, but it- ia now up to £4O! This is opposed to British sense of justice, that tne idle land-owner;-.-’ reward should bo doubled, whilst tho toilers’ wages remain; wholly neglected. Some distinguished visitors protested at dining with the workmen at a farmer’s table. Tie replied that ho could get along without his visiters, but that his nun were indispensable. All farmers can justly say the same regarding landlords. Thev are an utterly unnecessary element in ; cither tho working of tho farm or in the ! sharing of tho .proceeds. It would be no | injustice, though ;i hardship, for Government to absorb the whole of ground-rents in j,ho laud tax, and expend such revenue for the benefit of tho fanning community ; moreover, remitting tho customs duties, which arc now discounting the meagre money-wages of all men otv the land. —I am, etc., , iSI’I.NNIFEX.