A FARMER'S ADVICE

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 11

A FARMER'S ADVICE

TO TH» EDITOR OF "THE PRBSS." . Sir,—l should be delighted if I could say a word that would bring about an immediate settlement of the present unfortunate struggle, or even a more' kindly sympathetic feeling between the two opposing parties: — From addresses I have heard and read on your side of. the question, it had struck • mc very forcibly that the tendency ar(d apnarent aim of both speakers and writers have been to set class against class. Now let mc assure you as an old fanner who has seen a bit of the world and its doings, that the respectable legitimate farmer is not the hardhearted tyrant he has been declared to be (of course there may be exceptions), but allow mc to* inform you that as a whole farmers are considerate and thopgbtful about the general welfare of their employees, and so kindly disposed to old servants that it gives them the greatest pleasure to meet them, shake hands, and enquire after the well-being of. themselves or their families, and in come casea to help them get on to the land or go into other positions more to their tastes. I eonld mention several acts of kindness or help given by people to their old hands, but space forbids. liie farmers and specials are not out to deprive you of your waces, or to rob your % families o£ their bread and but-. to return home, and let you earn the Zγ Jnr J? rf won't turn to i? ? \ the mon ey by loading or shipping the prodttce of their vear'f la«d tIS ' ? thk P rodu « to liei and rot, thus denri»-:_ i_- c 1 • i »-hereridi»l to »5."5 h ,"" f !'"

interest on his mortgage? Or how-even, can ho bo expected to be able to pay tho wages due to those in his employ? fc>o if you will neither do the necessary work, nor allow them to do it, how can you tsomplain if special constables are employed to save their actual existance as employers of labour? Therefore, much against their inclinations, they are compelled in self-defence to adopt the proposed tactic* to ensure the necessary return of their years labour. Oh, foolish men, why don't you go in. at once and earn the good wages going, and leave the fixing up of an agreement to the wi«e, practical, nnd shrewd men, who surely can be found on both sides, to arrange justly a plan of working that ought to suit both sides concerned.

By striking, you arc robbing your family, a≤ well as those who have to pay die wages, and in the long run the farmer is even unable to employ labour, thus throwing nearly all tho loss back on yourselves.

1 must not forget to give you men credit for the loyal manner in which you stick to each other, and no doubt' there are faults on both sides, but amid all the turmoil let us not forget thatf we are brothers, and for tho sake oT lovo and peace let both sides be piepared to yield a little for the other's good, and trust to the wisdom to be found on both sides, to find out a way to the amicable settlement of this unfortunate trouble.—Yours, etc. A WOULD-BE PEACEMAKER.