THE FARM LABOUR PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1935, Page 7

THE FARM LABOUR PROBLEM.

' . (To the Editor.) Sir,—-It seems , a pity ; that your correspondent “Cowboy" has not more time allowed by farm duty to ponder thor- : oughly on the circumstances concerning his meagre*slab of fortune; In the first place if he has chosen to work on.a farm for six solid years it suggests satisfaction; if he was compelled to do so it implies, meek tolerance of mild despotism; and if he received no bonus even in the,, form of holidays,- on pay, full,, part, or not at all (even as compensation for the preposterously long hours) it certainly indicates a long overdue initia- , five in the matter. If. “Cowboy", has accepted the conditions of such a job he • surely must realise he is only encouraging; what has just apparently been manifested to him, i.e., his poor and corn-: paratively unfair remuneration and the farmers’ total control of “Cowboy’s” welfare, In the vernacular the latter is. known for “being a mug ; for someone, else." As for working to keep the camps going, we think “Cowboy” has overheard his elders talking. According to his own complaint he is sacrificing himself solely for his employer’s sake '(a noble ■ but useless gesture), and possibly indirectly for that of the mortgagee and ; middleman? As far as the inveterate "cowpunching” underling is concerned, how could the nation ever know that he is imposed upon? Many men are “reliefees”, simply : because they couldn’t stomach servitude in any degree or form. “Cowboy’s” report’ on local relief achievement goes to indicate his personal disposition and.the • general moral standard, not to say mental calibre of cow students.-The prover- : bial ladder of fame or success is snatched well above the heads of relief workers. The nearest resemblance to the prover-, bial bottom rung to them might be the colloquial “handle.” To obtain farm labour why not train and encourage the rising generation to be budding Steele . Rudds, and. then they, . especially |if< prizes were offered, would eagerly seek’ experience, local colour ahd material?— We are. etc., ' 'g. moore, ?. A. RAY. . .. • Matiere, Dec. 2. ‘C; r/-