Under Current

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17268, 14 November 1929, Page 6

Under Current

IN THE DRIFT OF LIFE (By '* Seeker.”) A COUNTRY WOMAN PUTS A QUESTION. Dear “Seeker.” —Recently a correspondent to the Times wrote: “The solution of the problem is that employers should toe made to pay a living wage—farmers too.” Last night Aunt Selina spoke gentle wisdom regarding house mothers and unrewarded labour. To-night the “leader-man” writes of why women won’t go on the land. To each I would like to relate a little story from life: We employ a young fellow’ of eighteen at £2 per week and found, his mate being employed by a neighbour at the same rate. Milking, general farm work, every comfort in the home and made “one, of the family.” We like him and he likes us. Last Saturday at the pictures they were approached toy a man from the relief works and told if they reported _at Paeroa they could have w r ork —cutting willows in the Waihou —at 14s per day. Our boy, an immigrant, considered the matter and decided that as he had come out to be a farmer he had better stick to his job and consider what he lost over and above the £2 per week in the light of an investment in “learning a trade'." The other boy went to Paeroa. The people he left have been unable to replace him at £2 per week, although this figure actually is higher than the farmer himself receives in return for all his labour and risk of capital and plant! Being unable to compete with our paternal Government at £4 per week, that farm mother has gone to help her husband in the shed, leaving her four small children in charge of the eldest, who is ten. Next season, a new baby being expected before then and the labour question promising no improvement, the farmer will be forced to meet the situation by milking fewer cows and doing the w’ork alone. Dear “Seeker,” is it fair that borrowed money should be doing this for us? Further, is it wise? When the millions are spent and relief works done, is it not a grave probability that the unemployed wall again be adrift — and in a country which could be so rich from its farming but stricken for want of men? It is a puzzle to know the answer, but there must be a better one surely than the ,one which makes a “wages career" so increasingly attractive and a farm as increasingly drear. A Country Woman. November 8. This letter to a large extent answers its own question, “Is it fair?” Unfairness there 'is, but to assign the responsibility and right the w’rong Is not so easy. I shall have something to say on the subject, and I trust it will be found sympathetic towards the working farmer and his working family. • « * * KILLING FOR PITY’S SAKE. “ It seems terrible to let people have such power,” said Aunt Selina, when we were talking over the French jury’s verdict acquitting Francis Corbett, who had killed his mother to save her from the suffering of a painful and incurable disease. “Where would the thing end ? If they could kill patients who were suffering too much, they might go on and want to kill those that were just helpless—a burden to themselves and others.” “it would have been a shame though, to hang the man, or even send him to prison,” Gwen replied. “ He did it for the best and took the risk.” “ But his mother didn’t ask him to do it. And if the thing is to be allowed, surely they ought to make more than one person responsible. But 1 don’t like it. I wouldn’t like even a lot of doctors and judges to have that power, would you, William ? ” “ It’s a hard question. While there’s life there’s hope,” said Dad. “My tea’s a bit cold. Just fill it up, •won’t you ? ” • “ Oh, I’m forgetting you all,” said Aunt. “ Jack, have another fish-cake. Are you going to tennis this evening? ” “ No. Taking Bobby Piper over to the Lake. Say, did you see what they're doing in Denmark about this killing for pity ? They’ve passed a law making it allowable to kill a person, if you can prove you did it to prevent Incurable suffering. At the same time they’re abolishing capital punishment. Now that’s something like sensible. A hangman has such a miserable life ; no one wants to have anything to do with him ; but no one would be ashamed to be a friend to a man like Corbett." “ Well, when you put it that waywhy, of course, hanging's ever so much worse,” said Aunt Selina. “ But couldn't we do without either? By the way, Gwen, you will go and see Mrs Wilson at the hospital to-morrow, won’t you ? I can’t possibly go till Sunday.” “ Yes, I’ll go. But isn’t it awful to sec her and to think how bright and sweet she used to be—and so helpless now. They don’t think there’s much hope.” “ Don’t say that, dear. You never know. How can people talk about just—deliberately—putting out the light ? " “ Great old girl, Mrs Wilson,”' said Dad, with a wet eye. “ I’ll come with you on Sunday, Selina, if you think it’s all right. But about that other thing —I don't know that you could say it’s always wrong. We mustn’t forget that they put out the light of about ten million young men in the war. Queer people folks are. Now your old heathen barbarian thought nothing of getting rid of the toothless, decrepit old folk, and some of them made short work of the little babies that weren't wanted. Nowadays we put on a shocked face at such ideas ...” “ Horrid,” said Gwen. “No thanks, Aunt, 1 can’t eat anything more. Why do you talk about such things ? Still It is worse to kill young men as they do than old people or even tiny babes, I suppose. Anyway I’m glad they didn’t hang that man, Corbett." All murmured assent to that. “Well, I suppose folk are queer,” 'said Aunt Selina. “ The rule for Christians seems to be that they can kill for hate, but they musn’t kill for love. But all the same if it was anyone belonging to me, I'd want to nurse them right through to the end. I wouldn’t mind giving morphia. It’s terrible, but I couldn’t give up as long as there was any hope."

A SURPRISE FOR FATHER. She was fourteen and she had gained a stepfather not long ago. Mother had a secret to tell her: A baby was expected. The girl had come to know that the family income was much below the family desires, and she was rather alarmed at the prospect of another mouth to feed. “Oh dearl” she exclaimed. "What -hi Daddy say when. Aia knnws2'». _ y""