OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1942, Page 2

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

DISCOUNT ON RATES (To the Editor.) Sir, —I have to thank the Town Clerk for his information in regard to rate discounts. I feel sure, however, that if the point I raised in yesterday’s letter were brought before the proper authorities, they would have no hesitation, under the special circumstances, in granting the desired relief. It is a matter surely that could be dealt with by regulation, and would not need the special* sanction of Parliament.—l am, etc., RATEPAYER. Masterton, August 18.

WAGES OF RURAL WORKERS (To the Editor.) Sir,—Mr Ben Roberts remarks, does Mr Daniell know there is a manpower problem? All farmers . have been aware of the shortage of farm labour for years. Long before the Labour Government came into power the drift to the towns had begun. Since then it has become a stampede. When the Labour Government took office, I thought that now the land workers’ lot would be improved, but I was sadly disappointed. A highly-trained farm labourer, how is he treated? “For him the Government, with the full acquiescence of you and me, devises a special minimum low wage, with longer hours at which he may be employed (and if married support a family) than any other calling from the humblest unskilled town labourer up.” A most definitely anti-social attitude for a social Government, that they may _ have cheap primary production. Farming is a sweated industry, especially dairy farming.

S. DALGLIESH. Longbush. August 17.