PRICE OP THRESHING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2606, 11 January 1894, Page 2

PRICE OP THRESHING.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —The letter signed “Unionist” does not put the case correctly. He has based his calculations at the rate of 111 per thousand bushels for the men, whereas they have been getting only 9a per thousand. The price unionists are asking now is 10s per thousand bushels all round, or 9s for oats and Us for wheat, or Is per hour. At these prices it will be seen that tho profits of. the millowner’a would be much larger \hau “ Unionist's” letter allows him. “Unionist” also allowed wages for n me n, whereas the number employed on most machines is only 9 men. 'I bis, too, makes a great difference in favor of the machine owner. Ar one who has worked with machines probably a little of my experience would be interesting. 1 worked at one mill, for six weeks, and all I had to get was Cs 3d; and last season 1 worked O' weeks for £ll. Taking one consideration, with another, I think that at 9s per thousand men will not earn more than l from 6d to 8d per hour. I have worked with mills for 8 seasons, and this is my average earning. Mill owners are tiyiug to make farmers believe that the workmen are trying to raise the price of threshing. Thev are doing nothing of the kind. T}\c Sinners are just now paying onoubut too much of the profits is retted by the mill owners, aud the Walking meu are only trying to get what is fair and just, aud what can be given to them without increasing the cost of threshing to tho farmer.—I am, etc., Worker.

TO THE KDITOK

Sill, —I see in this mornings paper a letter ro price of Now if *■ Unionist” will coiuq forward and give sufficient guarantee that ho will work a machine on thq Hues he has laid down, and make it pay as ho says, I will take him into partnership without farther capital and give him half the profits. But I will give him this advice : never to make himself appear iu print again with so little knowledge of what he is writing about. He has only shown his ignorance on tho subject. Ifirst as to the price : Can tho farmer pay 3d all round, as ha has reckouod it, and how many men to work a machine docs lie allow ? I find, with a full gang, allowing extra wages for feeder and driver, instead of £302 10s, it should bo £340. Thou as to coals; this last, two yoars has exceeded £1 per thouj sand for coals and oil. Thou repairs; if I he had doubled his estimate ho would 1 have boon uearcr the mark, as I know j. epgiuea Uwt have coat wore than 4wbl«

that amount these last two seasons for repairs, to say nothing about the mills and many other things, such as cloths, etc., which are considerable items. A tarpaulin for a mill costs £6, and lasts two years ; then there are stack cloths, floor cloths (which cost a few pounds each year), forks, etc. Now we will see how “ Unionist” will,shine as to depreciation. He allows £3O on a £IOOO plant. Now any schoolboy of business abilities would allow 9 or 10 per cent, as depreciation in valuation on machinery. Why it would take 33 years for the machine to pay for itself; it would want renewing twice in that time, and some parts three or four times. The next item he is within the mark. Now if he was a man of any business he would make it look something like this—--60,000 bushels, at 3d ... £625 0 0 Repairs ... 45 0 0 Images ... ... ... 340 0 0 Coals and oil, at £1 per thousand bushels ... 50 0 0 1 horse, 12 weeks, at 7s 6d 410 0 Depreciation in value, at 9 per cent. ... ... 90 0 0 Interest on capital, at 7 per cent. ... ... ... 70 0 0 Insurance on half value, £SOO, at 5 per cent. ... 25 0 0 £624 10 0 Profits, 10s. There are also bad debts to contend with, which sometimes are heavy. 1 know that “Unionist” will object to some of these items, but the depreciation he cannot gainsay. Interest he may ignore, but 8 per cent, is what the writer has had to pay, and is still paying, on the unpaid part of the purchase-money of his machine. Insurance is 5 per cent, on * mill and engine combined, and 7£ per cent.' on mill without engine, and if he gets burned out without being insured he is completely ruined. There are many other items which it is impossible to mention here. “Unionist” thought he had a good thing on when he jumped at these conclusions. If we adopt the selffeeder and self-chaffey it will lessen wages, but it adds to the first coat, and has to be kept, in repair. Perhaps Unionist will say we should not go into debt, and not have interest to pay. Now, let me tell Unionist that if New Zealand had made a law for no man to buy without cash his chance would have been a very poor one, as the trade of New Zealand and other countries is greatly increased by bills. I will now conclude with another offer of partnership, but he must get the guarantee to make good within 5 per cent, of his estimate, which is an offer he will not get every day. Apologising for occupying so much of your space, I am, etc., A Temuka Mm Owner,