A LONG JOURNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 5

A LONG JOURNEY

SEEKING WORK. (By Telegraph —Pei Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 26. The expel ience of a married couple in regard to a farm position, as rciated by the wife, has some public interest in view of the discontent over the unemployment rebel system. Alter eighteen months of difficulty the couple decided to seek a position as married couple on a farm, with a v ew eventually to securing a holding of. their own. They answered an advertisement from a farmer in the north and lie replied stating his terms. The husband, who at the time was at a Public Works camp in the King Country, telegraphed acceptance and walked fifteen miles to join a service car. He borrowed the money for the fare of himself and his wife to go to the farm, and after a night’s delay on the way owing to had: roads, arrived at the farm, where the farmer told them he did not- want them. Finally, lie said lie would consider' engaging them under the unemployment scheme. He expected the Unemployment Board to pay 25s a week and he ss. This the couple accepted, as they had no money and no choice.

While waiting for this arrangement to he completed the wife found that she was expected to do the general housework, conking, washing, ironing, broad-baking, butter-making, and menu ing, which -she considered excessive. Before the contract was commenced, however, the farmer sir'd he had definitely decided not to have a married couple as he could not afford it. They were driven to the train and had only three shillings and elevenpence to carry them to the nearest town, where they found a fr'endly atmosphere and some relief work.