AWARDS AND WORK.

Wairarapa Age, 17 March 1927, Page 5

AWARDS AND WORK.

POSITION OF THE FARMER (To the Editor.) Sir, —One would think by reading “Fair to All’s” letter in Tuesday's paper that early rising applied only to a few freezing hands. If your correspondent could visit this district he would find most farmers astir at daylight. He never mentions what time his shift at the works finishes nor that on Sunday mornings he perhaps has his breakfast in bed. He has the opinion of all who have not been farming that it is “easy enough for a farmer to turn out a certain number of sheep at a certain time of the year, etc.” Mother Nature is not as kind as he would have one believe. Man has helped Mother Nature and tho sheep require constant attention and careful management if the farmer does not wish to see a. debit balance at the end of the year. Has “Fair to All” ever had to pay for the privilege of working as tho ’farmer has done and in many cases is still doing? I could show him from my own account books where it oost me £6 per week for that privilege. Naturally enough, if timet had fiot changed when, they did, I, like many others, should have been out on the road. As it is the straws are still being placed on tho camel’s baek.

A circular recently came by post from the Department of Labour asking farmers to assist the unemployed by engaging labour. Much as I should like to see every man employed, what can I and fellow farmers do without '.he money to immediately pay their wages? Personally, I think a good deal of unemployment is caused by the awards now in force, as anyone associated with industries must know.

At. the present, Mr. Editor, a number of labour unions are protesting against the Government’s action in offering unemployed relief work at a lower wage than those generally paid labourers. Perhaps if those passing these resolutions were among the unfortunates they would be glad to accept a wage to carry on until something better offers. To be genuinely out-of-work, with a wife anil family, with no prospects of work, I can assure you is an unenviable position. I think our Government is to be commended in its desire to relieve this distress.

TJie prosperity of the country depends on its farming community, and as soon as they are financially hit it reflects on the workers in other industries. The farmer spends his money freely, when he has it, but perhaps not always wisely. Thanking you in anticipation of space. I am, etc., “FARMER.” Carterton, March 16.