FARM HANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 12

FARM HANDS

.Sir, —As an ex-farmer, kindly allow me to say something in defence of farm hands. 1 am quite sure this Government is adopting the wrong attitude in forcing youths and men on to farms against their will. What I believe to bo tho chief reason for this farm hand shortage is as follows: Most farmers send their sons and daughters to the cities to get educated and to later bo absorbed into some such profession as engineering, architecture and teaching, etc. These farmers' sons' and daughters havo nothing to lose, but a great deal to gain. They not only gain a good education and profession, but also are left the farms by their parents. Fanning is so dull that most farmers can't keep their offspring on the farms, but expect sons and daughters of poor city parents to £o on to farms and slave 14 hours a day, seven days a week, for a mere pittance, and with 110 gain of a farm left -them in the future. Anyway, 1 what Cocky wants a youth or man these days who has not had previous farming experience? The "Farm Hands Wanted " will prove that. How many youths and men on sustenance have had farm experience? Neither the fanners, this Government, nor any other Gov. eminent will solve the farm hand problein until every farmer keeps his offspring on the farms. Supeb,