WORKERS ON FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 12

WORKERS ON FARMS

Sir, —Mr. Blundell wisely suggests that accommodation on farnis should be passed by a dairy inspector. That idea, I think, would be excellent, but the idea of a farm hand's union must bo discouraged. Unidns, as a whole, are a source of trouble. 1 again agree with Mr. Blundell- in his suggestion that writers on this subject should sign their names. That, however, is not the subject at present undergoing such a battering, but 1 would like to point out, in conclusion, that the whole matter is not one that can readily be debated by cither side, but if there happended to be a few more Mr. Blnnclells in the country, I am confident that there would not be such discontent. "Waikato's" letter proved that, lhe matter rests with the farmers. H. Leonard Heatley. Matakoho. Sir, —With regard to wages of farm workers, I would like to mention a scheme which works very well with me. At the beginning of the dairying season, say, early July, I engage my men, and undertake ,to employ them until May 31 in next year, given mutual satisfaction. When butter prices slumped two.years ago I took, as wages basis, an anticipated return of 9d per lb. butter-fat for the season. At that price I could afford to pay 15s per week wages, with difficulty, board of course included, but I gave my men an undertaking that for every Id per lb. above 9d realised over the season their wages would be increased by a bonus of 2s 6d per week for the season, fractions in proportion It so happened that the pri6e realised for 1931-32 season was so close to Is per lb. that I paid out on that basis and the men were highly satisfied. For the 1932-32 season, with different men, they were not so lucky, as no bonus was payable. They realised, however, the inherent fairness and justice of the arrangement, and to that extent shared my loss, as 1 do not pietend to be able to produce buttcr-fat at 9d per lb. The same scheme is in operation this season again with some different men, and I hope for their sakes that a bonus will become due. The payment of the bonus is not contingent "on men remaining to end of season; they are quite at libertv to go elsewhere if they think fit, but. the-bonus is .not payable until the dairy company's balance-sheet for the year is issued, and that is accepted by both sides as proof of season's price, i" am perfectly aware that there are loopholes in the scheme, which men of bad faith on either side could creep through, but I find that trust begets trust. The life of the man on the land, whether employer or employee, is by no means a bed of roses these days, but co-pperation between them can smooth the way tremendously. Do Unto Others.