Sheep Shearer’s Complaint.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1897, 15 October 1886, Page 3

Sheep Shearer’s Complaint.

To the Editor of the Standard. Bra, —Permit me through your valuable columns to make a lew remarks concerning oor sheep farmers and M. H. B.’s, of W.hra rape. On reading the paper my eye fell on n notice of Messrs Beetbam Bros’s shearing to commence on a certain date at the nnjuat entadown price of 17s fid and 16a Bd, finishing np by stating that all the shearers are engaged at that figure. We know very well why they have advertised the latter ; it is merely to frighten the shearers to accept the reduction, and also to encourage their brother sheep farmers to take part in their mean and unjust principles. Now, I should like to know what sort of excuse they will try and make for their unjust piece of work, as wool is at such a prosperous figure, or will they trouble to make any excuse at all, knowing that they have the reina in their own hands'.' What can we say lor our Wairarapa North member 1 We know that he has an interest in Brancepeih. for we have his words fir it. I notice that be put himself duwn as a Wairarapa sheep farmer the other dav in giving evidence in Wellington. This is wha' we get by having sheep farmers to represent ns in Parliament. They will have the lace t come around by and oy and te l ns at puhlimeetings that they are the werUng man s friend I should like to know whet" it mau-s in. They only waut the shearers once a year, then tie majority of them are too mean to let him cam a fair day’s wages fur a (ait day's slavery. I suppose the next |.o cut down the prices will be our honourable member for Wairarapa South ; he has don. I it before, and no doubt will try it again, but' I do eot think it will he writ fur him if hj doee so in the face of the next general ejection 1 think there wi!'. be a chance at th-; ner. election if Mr McL'ardle wiil only come out of his shill a hit, which 1 hops and tru>l he wil ! ; it was a tight squeeza last lime, bin I don't think it wiil be next; Mr MoCardle will win in a canter.

Inoit give as my opinion that this curse to Maw Zealand and the depressed state of tilings ia brought on through a aheep fanning Partaant; they bare always bad the reirs in their own bands and a pretty fine state of effair* they have brought ns to. We know well that they frame laws to suit them •elwe; they always wanted emigration so that they eonld get cheap labor, and, ihonld thiuk •hat they are satisfied now (hat they can get “• they employ at any wage they choose J® I don’t snppoee lor firanoepeth that the sumter of employees a»er • If* ■*• thaw one man to every 600 acres ; •*" moke like work tor emigrants does it * • W 7 Dice thins I) be an nd a large landholder. There is •*? *—hsr lor Wsirarspa South, who goes JJh* ,r °W*d and is looked up to as some ftHo — d by Us brother aheep larmart, NWHkyhww helookeett* them. The

other day he waited on the Highway Board at Feaihenton, which Board I believe consists of another batch of sheep farmers. The honorable member requested Ukiu to nuet him near his property so that he could show them where be wanted another embankment or some protective works to protect his property. Yon would be surprised to see what has been done there already ; a stranger passing along ths road would almost take it for the formation of a railway line. If our member wishes to take snob an interest in keeping the Waiohine Rivet in its coarse why does he not suggest commencing operations farther np the river where it overflows every flood and comes through. The town of Greytown has always been heavily handicapped through the overflow and will be until something substantial is done to prevent it. I trust the working class will join with me and let ns put two members in this next election that are not large laud holders. I think they have bad their own way long enough ; they have got the working class in a nice fix now and to crown the whole they have introduced the ferrets which destroy our poultry wholesale. 1 know one person who lost 30 of his poultry in one night, aod it is no use getting out of temper about it or seeking for recompense. You may just as well say “ Good little ferret, you did well last night, come again to-night we must not kill yon. You are the friend of the large runholders that have more land than they cm keep the bunnies off.” There is one Bunny I hope the ferrets won’t kill; that is ths one Mr Buchanan holds in dread not a little, and I hope be will come forward again and fight manfully for the seat once more. Trusting the shearers will stand out for their rights, lam, &3,, A Shxabbr.