TETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9151, 21 May 1908, Page 5

TETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, —In the recent proposition of Sir Joseph Ward, in,the matter of utilising prison labour in the production of vegetables which would be sold in direct competition with |the product of free labour, we iiave an example of how necessary it is for the Statesman to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the real facts in relation to any industry before legislating thereon. In the present instance our Premeir is evidently under the impression that tho European market gardener is [practically extinct, and that the industry is entirely monopolised ‘by Chinese, whereas the fact is that a large proportion of the vegetables consumed in the Dominion are produced by white labour. The immediate results of Sir J, G. Ward’s proposal, if carried out, would be to deprive of their means of livelihood a large body of hard-working European gardeners, and to greatly depreciate the value of their property. We consider that we are entitled to the same treatment as any other body of meu in the community, and we confidently appeal to all fairminded people In the Dominion for their support against this proposal.—l am, etc., D. R. CONNELL, Secretary Auckland Market Gardeners’ Association.