MARKET GARDENERS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 380, 11 March 1937, Page 6

MARKET GARDENERS

ASIATIC COMPETITION Protection Plea Voiced. Press Association—Copyright. Auckland, March 10. A strong plea for protection from increasing competition, by Hindus and Chinese was made -to the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, as deputy for the Prime Minister, by a deputation representing market gardeners at Pukekohe and in the suburbs of Auckland, and European retail fruiterers in the metropolitan area. The deputation urgently asked for aid on the ground that Hindus threatened to capture the Whole of -the market garden industry in the Franklin district, and, in the second place, that the higher wage rates now ibeing en r forced made it increasingly difficult, to meet the competition of Asiatics who, it was alleged, were not affected by much of the present Labour legislation and were evading the remainder.

Mr R. W. Bilkey, president of the Franklin Produce Growlers’ Association, Eaid that Hindus iiq»w* occupied 500 acres of land at Pukekohe and a further 1100 acres' at Ohjakune. which was in the neighbourhood and excellently! suited to vegetable growing. His assocation favoured the repatriation of all Chinese. It realised that Hindus, being British subjects, could not be dealt with so simply, but it believed that something could be done by the Government to curtail their operations.

“This is a very difficult and important matter that should be grap'pled with in the interests of the white population of New Zealand,” said Mr Armstrong. “One problem is in restricting the entry of Asiatics ivsho are Britishers' and have equal rights. 1 do not know whether our Constitution allows restrictions on particular classes' of British subjects! but if they come here we can make them observe our laws.” Mr R. Sexton, M.P., remarked that according to what he had heard the Indian Government objected- to restrictions. on. Indians merely as such but it dod not mind if measures were taken to prevent unfair economic competition. Mr Armstrong said that further amendments to the Shops and Offices Act 'Were being prepared and he thought of fixing <the statutory closing hours for each class of shop whether labour was employed or not. The Government was anxious to prevent evasions of industrial laws in cases where the relationship of master and servant did not exist. He believed that with the help of growers this could be done in the market gardening industry.

“I suggest that the question of the Indian Government’s attitude should be looked into so that the Prime Minister may discuss it, if necessary, at the Imperial Conference,” said Mr Sexton.

Mr Armstrong replied that he 'Would *ive Mr .Savage all the information that was available, from the Labour Department.