MARKET GARDENERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 127, 20 May 1908, Page 4

MARKET GARDENERS.

To tlu" Editor. Sir,- In tin' recent proposition of Sir J. (>. Ward, in the matter of utilising prison labour ill the production of vegetables, which would lie nohl in direct competition with tin' product uf flee labour. we haw an example of liow necessary it is for the statesman to make himself thoroughly acquainted willi tne real faet 9 in relation to any industry before legislating theivou. 11l lUe present instance our l'reiuier is evidently under the impression that the Kuropean | market gardener is practically extinct. I and that the industry is entirely mono I poliseil liy Chinese, whereas the filet i- that a 'large proportion of the vegetables consumed in the Dominion are produced by white labour. The immediate result of Sir •!. 'Ward's proposal, if carried out, would be to deprive of their means of livelihood a large liotlv of hard-working Kuropean gardeners, and to greatly depreciate the value of their property. We consider that we are entitled lo the .same treatment as auv other body of men in the community.' and we coiilidcntly appeal to all fail-minded people ill the Dominion for their support agaiimt Ill's propo.-al I am. Si-.,

1). 11. CDXXELL. Secrelarv Auckland Market C-.tr d'eiiers' Association.