“JOHN” HANGS UP THE HOE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3437, 17 March 1920, Page 5

“JOHN” HANGS UP THE HOE.

AND DESERTS THE CABBAGE PATCH. “ALLEE SAME STLIKER."i‘ “Hoolah whampoa mukka_ hilo, mo tenkschl” At least it sounded like that. and there was a good deal more of the same sort of thing from the band of Chinamen (all in their best bib and tucker, Clean boots, and'col— with no sign of the market ‘garden. about them), that iiivafled Auckland on Monday by train from Avondale, the home of the early cabbage and giant turnip. Various surmises were forthconiing for this Celestial irruption, from the finale to a social “dust-upi” in suburban tilling cirffles to a fete day in connection with one of other of the two bodies politic into which the Flowery Land is at present divided.

When, the voluble party reached the Auckland railway station it made for the premises of a well-known Chinese firm. and latter the deputation elnerg~ ed with the ghost of a smile flickering round. its various features. It turns out that there was; nothing political or of a festive nature connected with the visit. The Celestials were merely in the fashion. They were on strike. Hanging up the hoe. and placing the long—handled shovel in the corner they bought second-class return tickets. and seeking out the “boss” explained that they wanted more pay, and until the matter was settled the lettuces and cauliflower-s had to look after themselves. There was no question of hours, so fortunately the dispute was not double-ban relled——that. hug-bear of the Court and Council. After a full explanation of the position the terms of the agriculturists were granted, and it. is stated they now draw from £2 to £2 5/ a week, have quarters free, and food thrown in.

This makes the third t.ime the gardeners have been out, and about the only thing left that will not strike must be the Japanese wooden matches now on the market. .The Chinamen don’t bother about registering under the Al-bitr-ation Act, but "have their unions nevertheless‘; probably all the stronger because they are more or less secret. The Chinaman has always-. had a, predilection fOl- the secret society, and adopts the same procedure in his labour agitations. He doesm"t. worry the Press with reports of his meetings or pass resolutions demanding the intervention of the Minister of Labour. but achieves his object all the same. Anyhow for the present peace once more reigns in the potato rows at Avondale, and John is this nrornin-g once more hoeing into it again with very nearly a grin on his inscrutable “dial.”—~Star.