FARM BANDS' GRIEVANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18702, 7 May 1924, Page 7

FARM BANDS' GRIEVANCES.

Sir,—All- farm labourers who read Mr. Darby's ' letter will heartily agree that . ' something ought to be done to improve present conditions. The farmer himself, when approached, always tells the same . tale. * "He cannot afford," and hd will. • go on to tell you that / most ."of •* the , men he lias had have not been worth what - he has ' paid them. .. The . reason is ;'' not > ' far to seek-" The wages paid by 1 the. majority of farmers and the conditions of living will not : attract the better class of men even though they may prefer coun- 77 try life.' The result is • that the farmer has to' take whatever ; comes ' his ; way. v I. • have had good masters and bad ones, arid ' some of these latteF ;do not give their iV men as ,much consideration as:i, ; their stock. In lots of . cases v they 7 make the man , wait months for his money. Tho ■ man is never asked : to' take at day r off = . The v only leisure hours he has are between milkings on 5. Sundays, { and ;in some cases eWn this is " grudged. He hasS to •;take whatever food ' comes; his ' way, ■ whether badly , cooked or otherwise, is ' subect :? to - v wettings • several times a day . during J the V' ■: rainy season, and has," in some cases, -to •, , sleep 7in : a-. wretched • whare. Altogether, -c compared to: the factory or shop worker, he has: a poor life. -In• ii any _ wonder -he : prefers to ; hang .7'about",, town as - long a* ' he, has any ' money in his- ; pockcts sooner ; than go back •; to . such conditions 1; as ;.-I -7 ; . -have outlined? .■ 7 7. Farmer's Box. " ~V. f V. ...ii.l". ■■