FRUIT HAWKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 250, 21 October 1919, Page 10

FRUIT HAWKERS.

(To tbe Editor.) Sir, —"Citizen" writes you "that the Hindu should be allowed to ply his trade (fruit hawking) for the benefit of the public." If that is right, why should iiot I all of us buy our fruit from the Hindus I and so encourage them to come here in I their thousands? We could then employ them for 4/ or 5/ a duv on our tramri, railways, and as bakers, carpenters, etc. Would that be for the public benefit? Xo; 1 don't think it U ever good policy to allow coloured labour to do the work our own people can do better. "Citizen"' makes wild statements about "proliteering fruit shopkeepers" which are misleading. , Our fruiterers have to pay very high prices for their stock- —just how high many folks don't realise—but it is easily proved by reference to your weekly market reports. After a lengthy experience I believe no section of retailers work for a less profit. The City Council should know that their policy of encouraging the Hindus by allotting them stands, or I chops on wheels, at a nominal rent adjacent to our principal streets is against public interest. I believe the Council j justify their action by saying that the | Hindus give the public cheap fruit. It is well known that the Hindus buy the most inferior fruit that comes on_the market, and ac they will work for a wage that a white man couldn't work for it is possible that they cell the fruit a little cheaper, but are we to exalt cheapness above what is right? If so, you may ac well open our doors wide to" a large influx of coloured labour, who will give ! you cheapness, but at what a price! The j Hindus in Xew Zealand are rapidly increasing in numbers, and are a growing ! menace to our workers, who should not i have to compete for a living with Bueh low class labour.—l am, etc., A. PULMAX, Secretary Auckland Retail Fruiterers' Association.