CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1995, 26 June 1919, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—As one who has been connected with the flax industry (on and off) for a. number of years, I would like, on behalf of others engaged in the industry—l am not at present —to supplement your informant's views in a different manner. Your informant cannot understand why flax-hands demand 14s per day as a minimum wage. He quotes the Borough Council’s and the Shipping Company's employees’ wages (12s) as an example of wages, and I suppose he wonders why the mill-hands can’t work at the same rate. I believe the Council’s permanent men get paid wet or dry, and for holidays. Are the mill-hands so treated? Elaxmill work, instead of being permanent, is more or less casual labour, and that is the reason why an extra two shillings per day comes in handy. Some time ago all the mill-hands and those connected with the industry were “put off"’ for an indefinite period. The millers couldn’t run because they couldn’t sell the hemp. They said to the men, “Come back when we're ready.” But (hey didn’t ask them how they were going to live in the meantime. Your informant suggests that boys, working at the mills, should, first of ail learn the trade, so to speak, at a smaller remuneration. Why employ boys at till if they are not worth their money, or anyone for that. He also implies that certain operators tire indifferent in their special duties as stripper-keepers, and says there tire only a few competent. It didn’t matter whether there Avere a few hundred in the district a week or two ago, they Avere not Avantod. Your informant reckons that the mill hands tire not ambitions because that don’t Aviuil to he enginedrivers. He says there tire bettor paid jobs in the mills if men were ambitious. .Scutching and stripperkeeping are the only jobs in a mill any good for wages, if a man has the ability for the latter and the stamina for the former. Washing, benching and nmseabouting requires a good heart, but an empty head. Nevertheless, who ever lakes the gamp on should be well paid, because il's worth it. If (he men were to ask for 12s a day (full lime) the milters Avoiild refuse them, yet this last twelve months many a 14s a day man hasn’t aA'craged £2 a week. Would the Elaxmillers Association approach the Government and demand a reduction in the cost of living? No; the worker Ims to light every time for what lie Avants. The miller, or any other employer Avill sec to it that ho won’t go short himself. The employee has to battle along the best way he can, and then he told that he is not ambitions. Isn’t a man ambitious when he is trying to rear a family for the State. (Why’ that’s the height of ambition.) Can one wonder at a doelining birthrate Avhcn the odds are up against the Avorker every time. Perhaps these IYav lines Avill enlighten your informant, and as soon as the cost of living drops I think it Avill be better for all concerned, Trusting your informant Avill not think I am suffering a delusion.—l am, etc.,

FLAX GRUB