STATION-FARM TOILERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13524, 22 February 1906, Page 8

STATION-FARM TOILERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sn!,—lt is quite refreshing to see in your widely-read columns that ' a Musfercra' Union has been formed, and that Mr Borchain has been appointed organiser for one year (Iho, right man in the right place). A branch of the Farmers' Union bos also been formed at Greenfield. Mr Prain has also been up there giving them an insight into the benefits to bo derived from unionism, also in watching legislation, auction charges, insurance, etc., etc. I would like to ask the toilers as a'whole, on stations and farms south of Uunedin, what are they doing as a body (o improve their condition as regards wages, hours, food, quarters, holidays, etc.? I say the lime has arrived for slation-farm toilers to make a move for the betterment; of their conditions. The hours worked on some stations are longer than on others; farms the same. What is wanted is a general union, to embrace all toilers on station-farms (shearers and muslerers excepted). I believe tbero is a union at Milton; but why not have a union to take in. say, south of Duncdin to the most remote purl of Southland? There are a great many matters to bo looked at in order to improve the toilers' lot. The farmers havo their union (which has proved a very important factor in the land), and why should not the toilers have a union also? I should like to seo either Mr Borebam or Mr Mason (Middlemarch) giving a few lectures on the benefits of unionism in a few of the principal districts. As the gentlemen abovo mentioned could not be expected to pay their own travelling expenses. I would suggest, that, some of the officers connected with the Trades Hal! receive subscriptions in order lo defray expenses. Should the above course be decided on, my mite will bo on the deckhead. Something must be done, and I say now is the time; and when a move is made give cheerfully and liberally towards the launching of a station-farm toilers' union. I am sure Ihe above proposal will receive the hearty 'support of other unions. Hoping an abler pen than mine will take the mnticr up and infuse life into tho project. —I am, etc., Toiler