THE COUNTRY WORKER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2529, 16 June 1909, Page 6

THE COUNTRY WORKER.

(To the Edito r .) Sir, —I am tired of reading in \ r arious papers in connection with the unemployed problem, of the congestion of workers in the cities, and the disincli-, nation of many Avorking men to go to the country. This is commented on as if it Avere surprising. Noav, what is there to induce a married working man to go to the country, unless lie is driven there by necessity? There is generally work to be had, and good Ai agcs, and if for a single man, a good prospect of saving money. But for a married man ivhat is there? Ho can leave his wife and family to go bnshfelling and live in a tent, and can no doubt make a good cheque. But AA T hat sort of life does-lie lead? Ho can get contracts fencing and doing various kinds of Avork, all enabling him to earn good Avages. But none of them are permanent. He is forced to go from one place to another, anc-l lives in a tent or the station Avha're—if lie is lucky enough to get Avork near the homestead. I have knocked about this disturb a good deal, and can state that the numbe- ~i Avorking mpn settled in eottug'.s o* llieir own or their employers, living there permanently Avith their fam liis (other than shepherds) is surprisingly 'sms- h. Shepherds, I admit, are often, settled in this Avay. Well, as tvngs are the Avife and family live in the nearest township, and the husband works 20 miles aAvay or more. These people have the disadvantages of the. country without its pleasures« and compensations. The family grow' .up, naturally enough, without aequirmg oountry tastes, and it is not surprising if, as they become older, they prefer to work in town. The- farm laborers in . England are Avretchedly paid, and have a monotonous life. But I have seen tlieir homes. They do have homes, with little gardens and flow'ers and vegetables; and tlieir children look well and happy as a rule, and in spite of the poverty of these people I cannot help thinking that in some respects they are better off than the country ivorkers here. I know that a groat deal of casual labor is needed on the embryo sheep stations, Avhilo- they are in courso of. being devoloped, and improved. I dori’t profess to have a remedy to suggest; but the present state of things is a blot upon the system of land development. Whether it can be removed or not I cannot say, But if it can,, the first step is to realiso that the blot'is there, —I am, etc., “ROUSE ABOUT.” Gisborne, Juno 10.