PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11657, 23 October 1923, Page 10

PUBLIC OPINION

FARMERS' UNION. (To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—Tho Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union will meet this week in Wellington, according to the "New Zealand Timee.” Now that they are awake again I hope Mr Poison will get something done with regard to the half-holiday, also the married couples’ accommodation. I was pleased to see that the farm and station hands have also got their eyes opened at last, and have formed a new ! union and are sending out a revised list of hours, wages, and better accommodation for the married couples. They are also sending out a list to be filled in by all farm and station hands as to wages and accommodation supplied on every farm and station. This list will supply information which ■will, have a tendency to get better accommodation. Hoping you will give me space for these few lines, although I am only A MARRIED WOMAN. FARMER AND FARM HANDS. (To the Editor "N.Z. Times/) Sir, —I should like to know how it is there is one law for the farmer and one ter the farm-worker dealing with exactly the same thing. As lam interested in the "new” Farm and Station Hands' Union, I was surprised to find that if you want to, be a member of the Sheep Farmers’ Union you have to pay 2a 6d entrance fee. I find, on joining the Farm and Station Hands*. Union that you are compelled by law to pay an entrance fee of ss. That is, the capitalist pays 2s 6d and the poor labourer, who is only getting anything. from £1 per week, ba« to pay double what his employer pays. I should like to know if this is a sample of the laws in Now Zealand, and if Messrs Wilford and Holland (who profess to be friends of the workers) sanction this. FARM HAND. TOMMY ROT! (To the Editor ‘'N.Z. Times/’) Sir,—l write in reference to the action of the City Council in refusing to sell any of the cubs to be trained to do tricks, etc., on the grounds that there is a big outcry all over the world against tho cruelty connected with so doing. How about the training of children? Is there not & certain amount of cruelty entailed in making children do as they are told, and in making them refrain from doing certain things; and if we are going to let the animals off on that score, why not the children? The thing is ridiculous on the face of it. My experience with the training of animals (and I have had some) is the kinder you are to them the more they will do for you. But, of course, there are always old women about who cannot see past their eyelashes. H. WASHER, Palmerston North, October 20th.