FARM LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 3

FARM LABOR.

To the Editor. Sir, —This subject lms occupied the attention of farmers generally for years, and presumably no solution to the problem is yet forthcoming. That the farm laborer" has to put up with a lot ot drudgery and overwork is all too true, and is no doubt one reason why farm labor lias proved so unattractive to many young men. The housing accommodation on niany farms is an absolute disgrace, and T venture to say that these quarters are, in many instances, in close proximity tv. pig styes, hen-roosts, manure heap's, and other undesirable places—and the fanner is at a loss to knowwhy he can't Ret labor. With regard to the food supplied, on some places it is excellent on others—well. I shouldn't care to partake of the "hash" supplied, for 'fear of serious after effects. A friend of mine, working for a small "cocky" in Xclson, received the magnificent salary of liis per week; but the good and comfortable sleeping quarters provided compensated to some extent for the small wage received. The proverbial salt junk ami mutton is much in evidence, mid I '"presume the laborer considers it.an auspicious occasion when he receives beef or pork for a meal, lie is generally looked upon as a lower class individual and 1 know of cases where the men at Christmas time bad to be contented with mutton and rice pudding, while the farmer | and his family dined on turkey and plum pudding and all the luxuries that adorn a "eockv's" table at Christmas. Again, the men received their meals in the kitchen or pantrv, and were not allowed in the precincts of the dining room. Some of the "Reform" candidates at their meetings, said they were, in favor of the importation of cheap farm labor, Yes, but has it been a success, and will it be a success'; Decidedly not. Once the men find out the conditions under which they have to work and live their exit from farm work will be sudden and for ever. 1 will admit that the wages paid in the principal farming districts of the Dominion are good, but the remuneration is not commensurate with the work done. There are no recognised hours. Anything from 4 a m. to (i p.m. is considered reasonable' enough on a dairy farm, Sunday and all holidays included. When winter comes round and work slackens, the man stands bis chance of being sacked, or his wages, 'are reduced, ain not referring to any particular district. It is the same all over New Zealand. I have never been able to gather why it is, under these circumstances, that some men stop so long at farm work. You approach them and they admit that the work is tedious, the hours long, the food anything but good, and yet they stay. Of course these J are exceptional eases; but still it 'is a

mystovy to me why they stop. What is nudwl to make farm work attractive and .agreeable is:—(I) Systematic organisation of farm workers on a sound basis; (2) Written agreement between employee and employer as to wages, hours of work, etc; (3) Appointment of Government inspectors to periodically visit farms and se that proper accommodation is provided for workers; (4) Special provision to be made for men working on dairy farms. If this was carried into ell'ect I consider that the shortage of farm labor problem would be practically non est.—l am, etc., NONQUAM. Tongaporutu, Dcembcr S.