From the Mailbag

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20150, 19 May 1928, Page 6

From the Mailbag

FARM LABOUR Sir.—Now that “Farm Labourer” and 1 are agreed on the main point, there remains only one other subject on which 1 wish to touch, in his previous letter he referred lo the attiiuuc uf some of the employers when a worker openly advocated joining the workers’ union, which 1 know to be ine case by my own experience in the past. Why that attitude? Lt is hard lo conceive, considering we are the only large body of workers (except perhaps the prisoners), who are not organised to-day. Wnat of the employers? Are they not all organised and surely what is good for lhe goose should be goou for the goslings. Docs not the fact that we are unorganised reduce us to merely raobic at the mercy of all other organised associations? Why should we oc refused lhe right to collectively join up ana meet and discuss matters which afLect our own interests? 1 know, were 1 a farmer and a member of the farmers’ union, which 1 certainly wouid be, I could extend the same measure of loyalty to my union and class as I would to the class lo which 1 belong to-day and that, without denying another body of men the same privilege. 1 noted in “Employee’s’ letter of May 9, that he deplored the fact that tne farmers had hau not granted the weekly half holiday to their employees, why should they? Personally 1 believe that did they do so, it would not to any extent be appreciated as it is only that which is worked for, fought for and won, that is valued to the greatest extent. It is justice we should seek, not charity and that can only be won collectively not individually, otherwise some would grant it while others would refuse it. it would be interesting indeed were the opponents of unity in the ranks of the farm workers to publicly state their reasons how it would be detrimental to their interests or the interests of the community. It must be either right or it must be wrong. There is no halfway house between, , and 1 maintain the right.

As it is not my intention to continue this discussion further Mr Editor. I beg your indulgence to let me tell all farm workers a little story with a moral, the authenticity oi which I can vouch for being my self, the “hero” in the piece. It was at the time about 20 years of age when a travelling phrenologist visited the village where 1 was working and was reading our heads at a shilling a time. 1 in my turn walked up to the stage just as full of conceit as an egg is full of chicken and took my place in the chair as assured and graceful as a Prince. When he had merely run his hand over my head in a general way his first pronouncement was “glum stupidity.” In a tone of resentment J exclaimed: “What’s that?” He merely said: “Let me explain. Your head is as even over the surface as a billiard ball. Not one cell is more than partly developed.” He advised me |o think and think hard on every subject that cropped up ano reason out in my- mind cacn side or every question that I touched on. That, man knew his job and it only the farm workers would run their hands over their heads (just casually would do), they probably would be able to diagnose their own complaint, the remedy for which is thought, deep thought. OLD FARM WORKER Wanganui. May 15. MONEY AND EMPLOYMENT GOING A-BEGGING Sir, —Yes! While the unemployed fetch forth their chronic cry ui “can't get work,” money goes a-beg-ging. As 1 gaze from the balconies ami windows of my home into the river, 1 cannot blind my eyes to the amount of employment and money, she in her winter attire and turbulence carries as her daily prey, into the ocean beyond. God in his goodness sends the floods while the floods in turn penetrate the ravines of the river banks and inlets and set spinning into the running waters their hoarded wealth, thereby disclosing their mystic possessions'. If union secretaries and union agitators, instead of encouraging the unemployed to “stand by and look on” would organise a means or system of * * work for money and money for work,” the community at large would be the better for their existence. There are many systems, whereby “work for money and money for work” could be established and I suggest the following as one which, if promptly and properly organised, could be put into operation forthwith, viz:—Consolidate contributions, voluntary and otherwise. With the proceeds purchase or hire rowing boats, or motor launches. Put gangs of men. ail the unemployed, in Wanganui, I suggest on to the work of “fishing for logs,” yes! it’s “fishing for money.” In a very short time thousands ot tons of saleable firewood could bo stacked on the river banks or elsewhere. Now purchase a few used trucks and sell the firewood within a radius of say, 50 miles from Wanganui. Also freight truck loads to Wellington, Auckland and many intermediate and important stations, where a ready market could be found. According to the chairman of directors of the Northern Steamship Company “freight is cheaper by rail than by steamer” therefore freight the logs by rail and you will support a part ot yourself and provide employment and money for all the unemployed in Wanganui district. This could be made to develop into a staple industry. Cart loads of pumice are also to bo netted from the river and could easily be sold from door to door throughout the Dominion at say an average of three pence per piece. If a man could not sell 100 pieces a day then he surely is one of the unemployable. Another means whereby money, or its equivalent, could be made for Wanganui, is by the convertion of all unoccupied shops into “window displays.” Lt would pay the owners to grant permission free gratis and for nothing to manufacturers, me j chants or shopkeepers to make attractive displays ct their wares and thereby radiate comfort to the onlooker, who as matters are now, feels dismal and chilled on gazing at. “To Let” tickets displayed on the windows of fawning dull and tired looking empty shops. , 1 commend this latter suggestion to

the Chamber of Commerce or to the shopkeepers’ association and indeed- to the City Council, who judging from articles appearing in the local press a few tkays ago, individually and collectively. suffer the frightful and infectious malady of apathy which if not promptly erai'Ticated will develop into a chaotic state of pessimism. RICHARD WEDDERBPOON Wanganui, May 18.