Dignity of Farm Labour

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 September 1915, Page 2

Dignity of Farm Labour

Wo have no intention of preaciuug a sermon with the above headline as a test, but, if there is such a, tlnug as good coming out ol evil wo venture to predict that this war win (serve boniu useful purpose in raising the JWUuk of farm labour to a higher plane tJiau it has ever occupied before. What do we mean by this? dimply that for uoino unexplained and deplorable reason farm labour has 'been looked tknvn upon for years, and in the wonderful developments of commercialism m the country the men who have been contented to is top on the land and engage in agricultural piireuite have n-ather ue,eu sneered at for their lack of enterprise and self respect. We can see a change coming, however; the needs of the 'and have been brought home to the country in a most unmistakable manner, and it is now realised that the man who used to be classed as "only a farm labourer" is as essontral to the State as a skilled artisan, and his work is equally dignified. The law of supply anil demand has ordained that the farm <abourer should earn higher wages than he lias ever done before, and a greater value now is set. on the men who are skilled craftsmen in the work of a fawn. Unless we are mistaken, these altered conditions will bring to the farm a more intelligent type of labourer and.the beet brains of the village as well as its muscle will have less need to go a.way, because they will have inducements to .remain in the shape of good wages and an incentive to excel in Idle dignified work which appertains to agriculture.—"Agricultural Gazette."