FARM LABOURERS' UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14432, 24 July 1907, Page 5

FARM LABOURERS' UNION.

TO THE BDITOR. Sir, —I think that delegates from the Farm. Labourers' Union, and also from the Farmers' Union, should hold a conference or go in the first instance to the Conciliation Board. With respect to holidays, I think that a whole holiday should be given every fourth Saturday, and that thoy should leave off work at four o'clock on the other -three Saturdays, except, of course, during the harvest season. Also, that a week or ten days holidays should be given in the course of the year, at such time or times as would be most suitable and convenient. I also think that the farm worker should have a good bed and a comfortable, well-ventilated place to sleep, and he will bo all the better able for hi® work the following day. As to the matter of board, that should be an arrangement between employer and employee. It must also be taken into consideration the number of wet days in the course of the year, when little or nothing can be done. Also the number of things th® farmer has to contend against from, time to time, such a® droughts, wet harvests, birds, etc. Although the prices for grain for the last few years have been higher than formerly, yet the crops as a rule have been light, and the drought in Australia, as well as a universal shortage in the grain-producing countries of the world, has tended to keep up the prices.—l am, etc., A RETIRED FARMER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In reply to " Patched Dungarees " I say yes. My time, brains and money are my own, and I am always ready to use any of them to try and uplift my fellow-man. But I liave never yet undertaken t<y cross swords with any man from behind a fence. I have lived too long in this country not to know that if the class to which " Patched Dungarees " belongs had a good case they would not be long before they found a man to champion their cause. They have not a leg to stand upon. Let me advise "Patched Dungarees" to regard the old Yorkshire saying, " When in doubt say naught." Then he will never undertake to write about such men again. As he will not undertake to meet me in public, I will not waste my time discussing this matter in your columns any longer".—l am, etc., J. S. MYERS.