FARM LABOURERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13296, 27 May 1907, Page 6

FARM LABOURERS.

To.' the Editor of the Timaru Herald. Sir, —I was very much disappointed when I read in Monday's paper the report of the fanners' meeting, as regards labourers, to find they were so much opposed to the Union. Tlie thought just occurred to me that we are doomed to slaveiy. There are no other men in the colonv working as long hours as teamsters or farm labourers in general. Ploughmen have to rise at 5.30 a.m. to 6 a.m.. and they cannot say their day's work is done until 8 p.m. : at least- that means fourteen or fifteen hours per day. Even if it is not all hard work> still they have to stay and do it, and they cannot say their day's work is finished until the horses- are turned out. Is it any better than slavery? After working over 80 hour." per week I think a man ought to get a half holiday at least twice a month. He could wash, his clothes or go for his goods to tlie nearest town or better himself in some respect. They may say farm labourers have a healthy occupation. I should certainly say it is for a time, but. as we all know, if you keep any man working constant for a Jong time, working long hours, it very soon tells. He very soon begins to find himself breaking down in health, and if he goes to any doctor. he tells him he is run down and the only remedy is to take a fortnight or a month's holiday, and not stay so long any more without taking some holiday. Again some of us have to sleep in houses that are only lit for animals to live in. If you leave water in the hut in some places, it is frozen in the morning, but, as I heard a man say. " It's good enough for blooming servants." But I am veiy glad to say that they are not all ihat way. I myself have no cause to complain as any Union won't make it better. I am well paid, and get. good food, and a good up-to-date hut to sleep in; but still I feel for my fellow labourers, some of whom are treated 110 better than dogs. I am sure if farm labourers were treated better there would not be such a scarcity of them in the country. Very few men stay long in a farm: they get tired nf it as it is too constant, can easily

see tliis by the fact that towns are {{elting overcrowded with farm labourers. Again, boys see the hardships in fann life; they must- work us long hours as any other inen on the farm, and don t get anv time for recreation, and they can t stay a- whole year without amusing themselves, as " All work and no play make;? Jack a dull boy." And that is the reason why so many bov.s run to learn some trade in town si. I am. etc., ' LABOURER