THE PLIGHT OF THE FACTORY HANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1920, Page 2

THE PLIGHT OF THE FACTORY HANDS.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln recent issues of your paper "Cheddar" and "Stilton" have been airing their views ns regards factory wages. As there is genorally two sides to every question, I would like to present a few points which they have omitted to mention If thev ;:ro so satisfied wages are too low, why stick to tho Industry when more healthy and easier jobs are paying better wages? Considertnr. the scarcity of labor those positions should not he hard to get Then they forgot, to mention requisites. Employees are foini'l In house, firewood, milk and butter or cheese, or both in scene facforits. Surely, at the present cost of living, those items are wortli something. They also complain that wages have not risen within recent years. Are thev awoTo that five or sis years ago a first assistant in a medium-steed factory revived £2 15s per week, a second assistant £2 10s and a casual £2 ss? Thus a first assistant's wages havo risen 50 par cent. In manv factories a day off per week is allowed, so In those places a first assistant receives 14s per day and requisites. In other places a fortnight's holiday on full pay Is allowed As regards housing accommodation, some companies are a bit slack in this respect, I admit Considering that there is a fre3h staff almost every season, and therefore tho men take no interest ia their quarters., is it fair to lay all tho blame on the farmer? There are n great many factory batches where the employees do not oven take the trouble to keep the premises clean. Is this tho farmers' fault, and Is It any inducement, for a corapanv to build hettur accommodation? I can supply the name of one company where the directors were obliged to have a working boo to clean up the house and surroundings after one employeo had left. I would havo preferred some abler pen to take this matter up, as 1 am not a land speculator, but simply—- _ , "A COCKIE." Uruti, 17th February, 1920.