WORK AND TURNIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 15

WORK AND TURNIPS

Sir, —In the Hf.hat.d of December 3 the Hon. P. C. Webb is reported to have said in a speech at Hamilton, "Any farmer who grows fewer turnips . . . is helping the Hitler crowd to come out 011 top." This statement may create a false impression that the farmers are slowing up in their work and following the example laid down by the Government in establishing the 40hours a week. Recently the farmers were so busy harvesting in the peak week of the year for work, that the Government took advantage of that to pass a bill which now enables it to evict any fanner who does not measure up to Government inspectors' requirements, either in labour or political opinions. In the large dairying district in the Bnv of Plenty, there can be seen women and men. coming hack at 8 a.m. from the milking sheds, where they have spent three or four hours working at high speed attending milking machines in a steamy atmosphere. At the hour mentioned Government employees will be thinking of starting out from their homes to put in part of tho 40 hours required. During the middle of the day the women farm workers can be seen in the harvest fields working to produce more butter, cheese, bacon, etc., to help win the war. At 4 p.m., when Government employees are on their way home, which they must reach before 5 o'clock, tho farm workers will bo starting another three or four-hour period at tho milking sheds. On Friday afternoon, Government employees will begin to rest until Monday morning, but the farm women will have to put in six periods, or about 20 hours' work at the milking, during the time af State rest. When the Minister of Public Works demonstrated that he could do in 20 minutes as much work as some of the State men in 16 hours, lie showed where a move toward more production could ho had if it is required. 70 Hours.