OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1943, Page 3

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

TERRITORIALS ON FARMS (To the Editor) Sir, —I was amazed to read the resoltition passed at the meeting of the Wairarapa Executive of the Farmers’ Union with reference to the employment of young Territorials on farms, and reported in your paper of yesterday s date. The resolution to my mind indicated a vote of no-confidence in the chairman and members of the Wairarapa Production Council. This body has rendered sterling service during the war for the farmers of the district. The entire discussion seems to have been based on the complaint of one man, a contractor. The executive might have called a few of the Territorials who were working for Mr Sutton to hear their side of the story. I have been in communication with some of the men who stated that at Sutton’s press thej’ were only given a drink of water at mid-morning and another drink of water to go with the lunches they brought with them to the job. During the course o£ the afternoon, the men received another drink of water.

In passing, I might mention that I have done a fair amount of hay-press-ing myself, and regard it as hard work even for men accustomed to that nature of toil, but I always got. a good smoko mornings and afternoons which lightened the burden of the day considerably. If my gang had anywhere received the treatment meted out to these Territorials, they would have downed tools in pretty quick time. What I would like to know is why other presses in the district have carried on year after year with the same independent labour? Why has Mr Sutton to rely upon soldier labour? Is it a case of “I’ll try anything once?” Mr Wiggins stated at the meeting that the Greytown farmers were burning their hay, and I am surprised that such a statement might receive credence. Any farmer who burns hay in a season such as we are experiencing this year is qualifying for admission to a mental institution. It was further stated by Mr Wiggins that the award rate for pressing or harvesting is Is 3d per hour, which works out roughly at 10s per day, or little over half the basic wage. This statement is on a par with the previous one. Actually, the award for harvesting is 2s 3d per hour, with rations. In this case the Government is supplying labour at 2s 6d and providing rations. What has Mr Wiggins to say to this? Another member, Mr Thomas, blamed the quartermaster. For the benefit of Mr Thomas and for anyone who may be inclined to take his statements seriously, I can confidently say that the Territorials are all agreed that the food they receive from the camp is all that can be desired. However, what the men could do with when out in the paddocks is a drink of tea with their meals, and surely the farmer who is pleased to take advantage of this Territorial labour will come forward and meet the need? If necessary, extra tea will be supplied by the Food Controller for this purpose. Do the other farmers at the meeting who suggested working after five o'clock in the cool of the evening agree that the men should have time off equivalent in the middle of the day?— I am, etc., NAUTICUS.