Fann Workers’ Wages

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 12

Fann Workers’ Wages

Sir, —I support "M.D.J.” in her idea of housing farm workers in the rural townships. It seems sound planning to encourage rural township growth, which makes water and sewerage schemes economical. Badly-needed shopping facilities are encouraged to grow and school busescan be smaller and life becomes more stimulating for the whole rural community. When children leave home, mothers can find employment in hospitals, schools, shops, garages, etc., if they so desire. It would be cheaper for

farmers to supply petrol for travelling and pay higher wages, instead of building, maintaining, and paying rates on extra houses on farms. Government loans directed for housing in this field would create assets which could be sold if the worker wanted to acquire a farm. —Yours, etc., E.H. February 8, 1966.

Sir, —I thoroughly endorse the sentiments of “Had Enough.” We have worked as a married couple for £l3 gross a week for the last two years without a raise from the farmer. For the first three months the farmer charged £2 a week rent on the house that was situated in a township. This-involved a travelling expense that had to be met by myself. On different occasions throughout the year anything up to 10 hours in excess of the 44-hour week have been worked without any extra remuneration. One can imagine how little can be saved on such a low basic wage, coupled with the fact that groceries here in the country are anything, from Id to 6d dearer than in the town. However, let it not be said that all farmers are tarred with the same lowwage, long-hour brush, as there are many who pay in excess of £l6 a week plus many generous “perks” and considerations to the farm workers,—Yours, etc., FARM WORKER. February 6, 1966.

Sir, —I recently worked in the country. After five and a half days, including all day Saturday, I was told by the farmer that the wages were £lO a week, less tax. 1 worked from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., sometimes to 7 p.m. For three days’ harvesting I did not receive one penny extra. No wonder the farmers cannot get workers to go into the country because they are not prepared to pay decent wages to people who are willing to work. —Yours, etc.. DISGUSTED WORKER. February 7, 1966. [This correspondence may now cease.—Ed., “The Press.”]