LETTERS TO EDITOR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 46, 17 November 1937, Page 7

LETTERS TO EDITOR

M. S.

CHAMBEK'fS.

HYGIENE.

\ Unionism .* in the Harvest ' Field Sir, — The New Zealand Workers' Union' has cited a number of farmera as parties to the Threshing Mill, Chaffcutters' and Clover Shellers ' Awara, 1937-38, and should the union succeed in having them joined, it apparently means - that 'no farmer can -cut chfiff, bale ha.y or straw, or use a threshing mill without einployin'g union labourers if Such are to be- had. If thes'c* are not available "to perform the work required to be ' done and ready and willing to undertake it, the farmer may operate the' chaff-cutter or other plarit. with his oWn f arm hands at specifled rates.of pay per 100 ba.gs or bales, of p'er hour, whichever is the higher. '• Taking the use of a 14-inch chaffcutter, it appears that it will be obllgatory to hivve one foreman at -5/- per J.00 :bags, one feeder at 4/9. per .190. bags, one driver and three other hands at 4/6 per 10o bags. When cutting other than 'sheaf oats, doublo rates are ti) be paid. It has been thoughtfully provide'i that — "for small machines one hand 'less shall be employed." ' Apart from the pleasure of trying tb engage union labour each time a chaff-cutter or other plant is.used, one can appreciate the fun farmers (and farm hands) will have in working out the pay for .a few hours at the chaffcutter or for a few bags of chaff cut and adjusting this with the weeklv wages. Perhaps some of these farm- operations will become mere memories like the shippmg trade of tlie Nortli Queensland coast some years ago, when it could not cope with the restrictions and strikes and practically all watersiders in some ports had to seek other jobs. I suggest that every farmer procnre a copy of this award and study it, sind thos'e who have already been nominated as parties to it oppose the application before the 25th. instant. — Youro, etc.,

Havelock North, Nov. 16, 3937 Pigs is Pigs Sir, — I see that the hygiene of pig3 and piggerics is being ventilated and, believe me, it needs to be very well ventilated. Whew! It seems absurd for the borough to have an exp-ensive rubbish collection and inspections of yards and shops, and yet these vile-smelling places eontinue to cxist right on . our door-ste])?. It is iip to the council to cet in touch. with the Hawke's Bay Connty. Coun- ■ cil, and look into this matter. I hope that an abl-cr pen than mfne will endeavour to draw our health authorities' attention to the need for iinmediate action. — Yours, etc.,

Hastings, Nov. 16, 1937. •