AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORALA WORKERS' NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2782, 10 July 1907, Page 27

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORALA WORKERS' NOTES.

By Stkve Bobeham.

From time to time the writer receives

letters from farm hands, Farm Btrr«nt»' mostly ploughmen, comAccommodation, plaining that the accommodation provided for them by farmers is anything but §pod. The most general cause of complaint is that the huts are not provided with a fireplace, and in consequence men out ploughing in wet weather suffer through not being able to dry their damp clothes. Especially is this inconvenience felt in regard to damp sox, for unless a man has a dozen or more pairs the result is that he has to turn out of a warm bed and 6lip his feet into a half-frozen, damp pair of sox. Further, a hut that never has a fire in it becomes damp and sodden, with a vault-like smell. Altogether the conditions or most farms, according to the statements of the men, are not calculated to induce farm hands to stay very long in the employ of farmers who have no consideration for the comfort and health of^ their men. I have referred shortly to this matter in order that farmers may have an opportunity of learning what their employees complain of in this direction. I truet they will take the hint and do something to make the life of those working for them at least tolerable.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Sheerer, Waimahaka, Southland. — It has been the practice since these notes first appeared for the writer to give the names, addresses and dates of starting of sheds commencing in October and the beginning of November. This list will, as in the past, appear in these notes during the first week in August, which will be in ample time for shearers to write for a pen. The writer is pleased to learn that these notes are Tead with interest by you and others.

Sheaheh, Clyde.— See the above Teply. You should cut out the list and keep it by you. Yes ; the writer would be pleased to compile a shearers and harvesters' guide, and will undertake to do so if shearers for their part will undertake to pay for the work.

Spud-diggee. — Thanks for your appreciation of these notes. Cou'd not think of advising spud-diggers to do anything of the sort. A blight wave might come, then where would the spud-diggers be? In any case, you have the Milton General Workers' Union, which covers the industrial district of Otago and Southland.

Station Hand, Cromwell. — Certainly not ; it would be useless. Yes, you. may rely on such matters being published in the Otago Daily Times and Witness. Yes, the Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., and the writer of these notes.

M. M., Amberley. — See the Otago Witness for the first week in August next.

110 hours A week. — L will make it my business to go out and see for myself. I could not think of publishing your tale in these notes before ascertaining fpr myself the truth of your allegations. It is difficult to believe that such a condition exists so close to Dunedin. There is no provision in tho Factory Acts to deal with such a ca-se. The proper authority would be the Health Department. Thanks.

Lovell's Flat. — Certainly not; we are getting too many unions dealing with agricultural and pastoral workors. The Milton General Labourers' Union is quite capable of looking after our interests in

this industrial district. Unions will, if they go on increasing, become as great a pesfc to farmers and run-holders as the small birds and rabbit?.