FARM LABORERS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 25, 25 August 1911, Page 16

FARM LABORERS.

Sir, —I have read a great number of letters in regard to the unemployed, and also about the scarcity of farm laborers. As to the farm laborer, you never hear of scarcity in the winter, and for what reason? Simply because the farmer only needs them to help him to rake in his harvest, whether it is in milk, fruit, haymaking, grass seeding, wool or anything else. After the laborer has done his best for the farmer in. the busy season, the farmer wishes him good-bye till next y ear. So many men are put off by tlie farmers in different places and the men come in town for the. winter just as the weather has stopped all the big works and the wharves are slack, and then there is the cry of the unemployed raised. As soon as tho spring comes again the farmer starts crying out, "I cannot get men to rake in my harvest"—and so it goes on. As long as the farmer can get all the cream he does not oare if his mem get the skim milk or die of starvation. Next season will soon be starting with the farmers. I would advise them to state the wages, and aAso if constant work will be given year in and year out, and see if they will not get plenty of hands. It will bo far better than giving a few poiunds to Mr. Sedgwick to bring out another batch of boys, which, to my mind, are not needed and will be doing more harm than good. As soon as they want full laborers' wages it will be a "Shake hands and call again next year." And in the face of this the 'Government arc assisting the farm, or so-oalled, farm hands to this country to fill the farmers' pockets in summer and fill the ranks of unemployed in winter.- —I am, etc., Northland.' COMMONSENSE.