CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 20 September 1917, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir. —I notice a paragraph in tonight’s “Herald” re “The Hemp Industrial Ooutiook.” The* business people of Foxton may think that the ilax-liands are never satisfied with the, wages they receive for their labour. Now, you know, Air Editor, that the men employed about the mills about Foxlou are real hard-working men, and the majority of them pay their way if jmssiblo. A good many of them are married men with families; some arc scutching, some cutting, but most of them are employed inside (ho mills, and get (ho lower paid wages. Now, sir, (lie cost of living, especially in Foxton, has risen considerably this last few months, and there is nothing to slop it, seemingly. The Govornmont has told us that they would see into (ho matter, and there it stands. Mr Editor, do yon not think that the men are justified in trying to get an extra remuneration to cope with the cost of: living? Apart from the cost of Jiving, there are other liabilities a married man may have to meet, such as insurances, lodges, etc., which have to be met whether working or not. Why is it that the storekeepers charge enormous prices for their goods when Palmerston can do the same articles so much cheaper? Can you ■ wonder at men getting dissatisfied, They must pay their way, and therefore must have the money to pay it. As far as the high wages are eoncorned, the scutchers and paddockers and cutters arc able to make good money, but: thou, sir, all men are not capable of jxorforming those duties. There are several delays connected with the working of. a mill, such as dirty water, no llax, etc., and when wages are paid by the hour or day there is always a chance of losing 1 a day or so. Therefore (he demand for a rise. If the millers were to pay a standing jMBj weekly wage (here would not bo so much demand, but as millhands’ wages fluctuate so much, say* £2 some week’s, a full week nexTp and so on/it is quite reasonable that men require an advance to for lost time. lam not in favour of ' striking work for more advance in wages, as you say that the presentrate is in excess of award, so wo must ask the storekeeper and butcher to lower llio price of his goods so that the average worker will be able to keep bis bend above water. Thanking you iu anticipation.—l am, etc., FLAXIJAND.