The State Farm.

Manawatu Herald, 4 July 1896, Page 2

The State Farm.

Mb J. G. Wilson has, at last, extracted some information from the Government in reply to bis question in the House relating to the Lavin State Farm. The rate of day wages is from three shillings and sixpence to five shillings and sixpence a day. It is stated the lower sum ia for old men. Lads get two shillings and sixpence a day. Teamsters six shillings per duy and carpenters six shillings and sixpence a day. These wages are low and it is difficult to imagine how a man supports a family on the sum. The department softens the statement by asserting there are advantages which the workers get, such as free firewood, and ground for a garden, and very low rents, ranging from one shilling to two shillings a week. This opens up a new light in this farm industry. What houses had the farm to let ? There can be only one or two of those who have left, as originally every worker had to erect his own bouse out of nothing, a colonial rendering of the Egyptian direction to the Israelites of old to make bricks without straw. The workers knew as much as the past Jews did for though possessing nought they got their houses, but the tradespeople in Levin are aware how much it cost them. We have heard, but lately, what prices some hard casss got for this sort of property from the Premier, reckoned as cheap because the worker was also got rid of, but even these houses, purchased at £75, cannot be let at one shilling a week rent at a profit. The return needs additions so that it might be learnt how the expenditure agrees with the income. There is a great deal said, by men who know, that the Farm now rejoices in two managers and tha pay they get should be set forth. Why also is the regulation to forbid tradespeople visiting the farm settlements except between the hours of 12 and 1 made ? The House should set up a committee of practical men, to visit and inquire, into the working of this wonderful scheme.