Correspondence

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 278, 24 November 1939, Page 5

Correspondence

(To tlie Editor.) Sir, —Please grant me space to answer “Old Man’s” letter, “Child Labour on Farms. ’’ Surely ‘ ‘ Old Man, ”if lie is an old man, must know that child labour has been done on farms for the past 40 years. I have seen in the papers letters by schoolteachers complaining of the pupils going to S:eep in class through early rising, 40 years ago. I7b Labour Government then! Even the old house cow became the children’s lot to milk. I am talking from experience and as one member grew old enough to fend for himself thero was always another member ready to take the stool. I should prefer to see my children milking and helping their parents than in rows waiting for charity soup and old clothes I and boots cast off from the more fortunate ones that are lucky in having a j larger supply of this world’s goods. j “Wearie Willie’s” advice is quite good, considering the guaranteed price ' will make up the deficiency. If farmers were receiving tho old price for butter- ’ fat of 5d or 6d per lb, I should say don’t J take “ Wearie’s” advice, but thanks to tho Labour Government and Is 4d for butter-fat, they will be quite safe, and ! I think I am quite right in saying “Ex- j Farmhand” will never pay a farmer a I visit while the Labour Government is * in power, but should it bo New Zea- j land’s misfortune ever to have the Hamilton Government in power, with tho big wolf round tho corner, “Old Man” might have a few “fex-Farm-hands, ” with their bundles on their shoulders, calling on good-hearted men like him, who would pay them so generously, even more than their own families. It is nice to hear of the generous farmer who pats himself on the back and says “What a fine fellow I am.” Exercise a bit more generosity with it next time and give credit where credit is due.—l am, etc., BROAD MINDED

Child Labour on Farms