FARM LABOUR PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1935, Page 9

FARM LABOUR PROBLEM.

(To the Editor). Sir,—ln reference to the farm labour problem, as discussed in your paper, first of all, I should like to say that I came to New Zealand from Home, being comparatively well brought up, . and with a Grammar School education, showing that my mentality and sophistication is no worse than that of the average Colonial young man. ~ I have been working as a farm hand practically all the time I have been here (about seven years) and I think I have a very fair idea of the conditions of farm workers. Five of my seven years were spent on one farm, where the conditions were as fair as anybody could wish. I had good wages, good home and food, everything washed and mended (except working trousers) and was absolutely treated as one of their own. There was never any more work on Sunday than could be helped, and I was allowed Saturdays off to play cricket in the Country Competition (and ' not expected to make up for it on Sunday). Of course, there was always plenty of work that could have been done, in the way of improvements, etc., but the employee was always sure of consideration. I feel sure if more fanning people were like these the farm labour problem would solve itself. I have worked on several other places, and can honestly say that I have given good work, and have tried to make my- , self satisfactory in every way, but have failed to receive a fair proportion of consideration in return. I really do not see why a farm labourer cannot have at least a half-day every Saturday to play football or some such recreation, or even sleep if he wishes. Why should he not have the right to down tools at 12 o’clock until milking time, with a milking off once a month oh his halfday, which could be done without hardship, because I have milked over 50 cows by myself plenty of times when the boss has been “too busy” to turn up, and I have also ploughed, etc., while ; others have been milking? _ ; The only way to keep a farm hand; is to see that he has reason to regard his job as a good one. Treat him as you would like your own son to bd treated, and not many farmers would be paying for advertisements.—-I am, etc., FARM HANb. ' ' Okato, November 12.