Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1936, Page 3

Readers Write

FARM WORKERS. (To the Editor.) ] Sir, —Your correspondent, “A Poor I Slave,” is not held in bondage by any | farmer, but is controlled by his own I mistaken ideas. . I nave worked for many different faxmers for very little wages, and never saw mueh reason to think I was under-paid or treated badly. A farmer working on his own land is getting less for his labour than he pays any hired man for the same class of work. After working at difj ferent jobs of all. sorts I say that the' farmers are the most considerate employers that are to be found in the country. There is a delusion among workers that their employers are their worst enemy and should be injured in every way that is -possible. I have known sharemilkers to dodge their work and go round the country trying to turn everybody against their employer. The employer in this case j was Enemy No. 1. When they get another place the new boss becomes the object of their ill-will, but all their past employers are remembered as enemies of society. If your correspondent was observant he would nor tiCe that the Farmers’ Union is not truly representative of the farmers, but is ruled by the land speculators, who also rule our local bodies. There are a few successful ■ business men and farmers who got their first start from farmers for whom they worked. Let me suggest to “A Poor Slave” that he try to win his own and his employer’s respect. It may take some time, as he seems to have to start a long way behind the mark, but afterwards the amount of wages would not be a cause of worry. I am, etc., WILLING WORKER. BUSH ON KIRIPAKA ROAD

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —We read with interest Mr. H. F. Menzies’ reported utterances during the deputation which waited on the Hon. P. C. Webb re conservation of bush on the Kiripaka Road. Now, never having met Mr. Menzies, or knowing what qualifications he has to pass an opinion, we question his statement to the Minister that the land is second class and useless for farming. While admitting it is not volcanic, we maintain that all save one front corner is, with proper farming methods, real good land. Why try to infer to the Minister that it is so valueless? Some time ago, when we were approached by two members-of the Chamber of Commerce, we . immediately stopped clearing on the roadside until the chamber could approach the Tourist Department or Government about the matter. The section was on the market long enough for some publicspirited individual (such as Mr. Menzies evidently is) to have bought it and presented it to the public. It is evidently a case of “as long as the other fellow holds it, all right—we have the use of it. Immediately he starts working it, squeal.” Unfortunately, as far' as we are concerned, we cannot allow sentiment to stand in the way of our livelihood, and we have to clear and use all saleable timber as we work it. The Minister said it was criminal to cut kauri rikas. What a huge number of criminals there must be in the Auckland province! —We are, etc., J. H. KEENAN & E. C. SCANTLER.