FARM WORK AND CAMP WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21378, 30 December 1932, Page 11

FARM WORK AND CAMP WORK

Sir, —I have a questionnaire for "Farmer's Daughter." First of all, how docs she identify the "right to loaf," as an integral and inseparable portion of every scheme for the remission of unemployment that a Government could possibly organise or direct'! (2) Are her remarks intended for the unemployed in general, who comprise men of every trade, every degree of efficiency, ability, and experience, or does she mean just the few who were never known to work prior to the advent of Yelrt'f jobs ? (3) What camps has she visited to enable her to pass such commutable judgment on their existence, economic value, or general conditions? (4) Is she aware that most of them are, or were, run on the piecework principle, and can she mention anyone who could afford "to 1 loaf" on a basis of 2-J,d per cubic yard even in loose ground ? (5) Does she really think it possible that all the unemployed single men, registered and unregistered, over age and under age, could be absorbed in the farming industry; and, supposing they could, would it be right to compel every man or youth, against his grain, and ihespective of temperamental aptitude, to adopt farming as a profession? (6) How does she arrive at the amazing conclusion that the farmers are in their present plight simply because of labour shortage ? When there was a real dearth of farm labour, ruling prices were about four times what they are now. (7) When she asks "Do the unemployed realise the cruel impost passed on old-age pensioners in order to provide work for them," or words to the same effect, does she know that at about the time that execrable enactment was pushed through the House, the racing clubs were presented with a rebate on the tctalisator tax, by the same indulgent Government ? (8) Would & not bo as logical to infer that the cruel cut recently imposed on relief workers, and incidentally their wives and children, was made in order that these clubs could keep their heads above water, as to make the ridiculous, f if somewhat original assertion, referred to-in question 7? (9) Is she aware that probably 10 per cent of the men she despises have either had farms of their own or at least a deal of practical experience in that line; and (10) that many of them took a trip overseas to make the world safe for democracy about the time she was learning to walk ?. J. Orb.