CORRESPONDENCE THE GOLDEN RULE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1929, Page 13

CORRESPONDENCE

THE GOLDEN RULE.

(To the Editor.) Sii, In a recent copy of your paper there appealed an article dealing with a busineos organisation in America in which the guiding genius built up a fortune for himself and prosperity and happiness for his employees, whilst he consistently sought to apply the “Golden Rule, x iz., Do unto others as you would be done by.” That article was entertaining reading, and it gave me a thought of how could it be possible to apply the golden rule to New Zealand’s great industry of dairy farming. Very few people would agree that they would be. overcome by gratitude towards the employer who asked them to toil from daybreak to deep dusk seven days per week. And yet those are the ruling hours in the dairying world. To effect anything approaching the wonderful conditions mentioned in the article in question, or of those stated to exist in Mr. Henry Ford’s organisation, would require a revolutionising of our farm and community arrangements. I have often though that the original brains that planned our settlement schemes saw deeper into the country’s welfare than we now generally credit them with. For instance, “town” and “suburban” lots were then laid off, but now these have become absorbed into one or two holdings. Would it not have been preferable if those small lots had been held by. tho State permanently, and if on each were built a cosy cottage wherein could-dwell farm workers whose services would be available to the farmers of the district? Provided everything was organised carefully the hours of°work on dairy farms might become so arranged that shifts of labour could be engaged as: first shift commence at 4.30 a.m., and end at midday; second shift midday to 7 p.m. A system of encouragement ‘of efficiency would bo necessary, and if i that were arranged on a basis of a State I bonus on production it is possible such [-■' ■' ■ prove better than haphazard unemployment doles. I know luis-is p. opusing the creation of the village system, and I think such is becoming necessary, in order to provide individual housing of the rising generations and afford elasticity to the farm labour problem. Imagine a mass meeting of dairy farin owners and the chairman putting the question, “Hands up those who would employ more labour if such were obtainable at a moment’s

notice, and provided it would not be necto fipd accommodation for same?” Now, sir, briefly to suggest as an adjunct to liie loregoing scheme, say the Government afforded specially encouraging arrangements for conveying and marketing kitchen and flower garden produce, also fruit, from village residents to and in towns and cities, would not that be a boon to the general public? —I am, etc., H.II. Tarata, July 23. MIDIIIRST DAIRY COMPANY'. (To the Editor.)

Sir, —In your issue of Tuesday your report of the Midhirst Dairy Co.’s annual meeting a mistake has been made as regards the following: “Mr. Fetch congratulated the manager on having secured a higher test and a lower overrun as well as having kept the creameries running all the winter.” — I am, etc., H. GRAHAM.