WOMEN ON FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22611, 26 December 1936, Page 12

WOMEN ON FARMS

Sir, —May I be permitted to reply to " Nil Desperandum," having a firsthand knowledge of small farms, and a fair knowledge of small businesses. I have known women and men who could not afford to see a doctor when thev knew they were ill, but had to carry on. To such a pass have things arrived that this is expected of women aud children. 1 have even had a Government ranger tell me that my wife could milk the cows while I repaired the damage caused by floods, and he meant it. and seemed quite surprised and slightly hurt by niv courteous refusal. So 1 put it to "Nil Desperandum" that the basis of her prosperity is the agony and suffering of the women and children on the dairy farms of New Zealand. Ihe 80.000 wage-earners she mentioned, although I think her figures are rather high, were in a much better position than most of the women and children on dairy farms during the last few years, whose conditions are getting worse, not better. As for the gentleman who consigned a £52.000 business. 1 could also introduce her to three or four gentlemen who held land and stock valued at from £200.000 to £350.000 who to-day are managing for the banks. I would advise "Nil D** s " perandum" to get her country facts beforo she rushes into print, and further I would like to invito her to spend a few days with .us and see for herself some of the conditions of the countrywomen. W. K. G. Hoi.i.and. Murupara.

Sir, —1 cannot understand "Nil Pesperandum's" attack. No doubt she finds she cannot battle the same as she must have done to brin£ up a family of eight and help vita farm work, and if she is better otfVshe has certainly earned it. A quite a<sjree there are numbers of women helping their husbands with their businesses, and 1 admire them all. "Nil Desperandum" refers to farm work as not being hard.-There are thousands of unimproved acres here to be cultivated which could be got with the same small amount of capital. "N» Desperandum" thinks I sun fortunate in being able to reorganise. I have never been dissatisfied. Having been blessed with good health, a sense of humour, and a slogan "Never say die. (In Christmas Day, Boxing Day nn(t New Year's Day I ant up at 3..'30 a.ill. My man will help witli the morning ß milking and then away for the day. He Ims thoroughly earned the time ■■■ away. Last year one man was away f° r Christmas, the other New \ear, n° one was overworked. I will be milking 47 cows, feeding 23 calves anc umpteen pigs during these three evenings, which is getting beyond sft. 2mand eight stone weight's strength, shall be more than sorry to part my herd and put on all sheep, f lfae til life under fair conditions. As to the i ew Zealand worker's livelihood; it • s^ el "_ to me that when the farm products slump it hits them first, and oars , .j that the farming community does no the wealth of the country. i" the labour that sows the harvest so be the iir&t to reap its rewsird. v--I'AltilEii S Wivow.