WORK ON DAIRY FARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22285, 11 June 1934, Page 12

WORK ON DAIRY FARMS

10 lIIK rXITOB Sir, —In your issue of June 6, “A. D.” criticises the “ all-too-coimnon practice that obtains in the country of mothers slaving at farm work while children wait.” Who, does he imply, is to blame for these conditions—the dairy farmer and his wife? If “A. D.” were forced by economic conditions to work as hard and for such small returns as a dairy farmer and his wife have to, he would have less time to write to your paper concerning conditions about which apparently he knows nothing. And he would know that what may be supposed to be a case of neglect may really be the reverse. Children need food and clothing as well as personal attention. Where the wife has to choose between giving her family personal attention and " slaving at farm work ” 'would “A. D.” advise her to leave the latter to a husband wao cannot afford hired help, and by so doing lessen the already small financial returns, and 'thereby letting her family go hungry and insufficiently clad? “A. D.” writes: “ This practice at farm work while children wait —‘‘ is a matter for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children.” What can the society do to alleviate the present distressing conditions that make such a practice necessary? Is it not a matter for the Government? ‘‘A. D.” may say to this--like eo many do—that the farmer is always growling and is never satisfied, but usually it is criticism such as expressed by “A. D.” that causes the farmer, or the farmer’s wife, to growl in self-defence. —I am, etc., E- P• Gatlins, June 7.