FARMERS AND WORKERS.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1927, Page 5

FARMERS AND WORKERS.

REPLY TO MH. A. BOSS. (To the Editor). Sir, —I hope you will kindly grant me space to express my opinion of Mr Boss’s letter, which appeared in your issue of the 9th inst. There is just as vast a gap between Mr. Justice Frazer and Mr. Boss educationally as there is intellectually. Mr. Justice Frazer must be capable of seeing clearly, understanding thoroughly, and summing up conscientiously and honestly far more intricate and perplexing problems than the fixing of wages, relative to any particular industry; otherwise hft never would have attained to the high and honourable office which her holds. I don’t think the words which appeared fiver Mr. Boss’s signature express the opinion of the majority efthe farming community; if they do, small wonder New Zealand finds herself in her present miserable predicament. Mr. Boss’s imaginings about the high cost of living remind me of the boy who climbed to the top of a tree and jumped off with the intention of having a good fly around. Could Mr. Boss but have a good look at the inner workings of the financial and business machine which operates throughout the world to-day, I am inclined to think he would immediately require a stimulant. When the farmers set out to smash or compete with huge and powerful companies nnd combines, which was their intention when they formed control boards for almost every kind of produce, they undertook a task far beyond their powers of accomplishment. With reference to the attitude adopted by the freezing companies over the recent dispute, I am satisfied that they showed a lot of sense; furthermore that they rendered a most valuable service to the farmers. Companies can see further and more clearly than is evident of Mr. Boss. Now for the worker who, in truth is the real producer. We need not say much about the general farm worker as most of us are aware of the treatment meted out to him. Suffice to say that he is no different to any other slave, except perhaps in colour. I have been working at a freezing works for the past three months. I have to leave my bed at 3.30 ajn. on five mornings every week, to earn about £5 12s. Once my wages reached £6, but that particular week I had to get up at 12.45 on one merning. Monday morning we start .work at 8 o’clock. This does not mean that I earn between £5 and £6 every week, far from it. Let Mr. Boss try this for a while. I am satisfied that it would be far more beneficial to Mr. Ross and all concerned were he to spend 12 months at an Agricultural College and later apply the results to his farm. It is easy enough for a farmer to turn out a certain number of sheep at a certain time of the year, and return to his home superflously filled with the happy thought that “Mother Nature’’ will do the rest, while he drives about the country in hie car, and often attends meetings of farmers who pass dictatorial resolutions. The recent increase in freezing workers’ wages is absolutely trifling as it affects Mr. Boss or any other farmer Of his standing. Under present conditions the single working man is denied the companionship of a loving wife, a few little ones, and a real home of their own, nnd those who are already married wonder where the next week’s rent, etc., is going to come from. Let Mr. Boss disarm and come out like a Christian and see what can bo done by one and all to effect a better state of affairs; otherwise companies and workers will have to take up arms and, led by our learned Judge, I can assure Mr. Ross that we can and will present a very formidable front. Trusting Mr. Boss will devote his time to something better, and thanking you in anticipation. —I am, etc.,

“FAIR TO ALL.”