A PROTEST FROM THE INDIAN FRUIT-SEUERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2018, 27 March 1914, Page 9

A PROTEST FROM THE INDIAN FRUIT-SEUERS.

Sir,—ln view of recent; agitation against us by*tho owners of fruit shops and of the expressions of opinion made at the last meeting of the Oity Council, and the apparent intention not to issue new licenses to us, will you allow mo space in your- : vahiablo- paper to endeavour to.explain on behalf of myself and my-fellow countrymen in; this city our view of the matter. I would ask you to take'my caso as typical of that of many others. lam native of Bombay and came direct to New Zealand from Calcutta. I was informed that with honesty and thrift I should soon be able to make a decent living in New Zealand. I arrived hero some twelve months ago, and immediately made inquiries. I was recommended to start iruit-selling in the streots, and I spent the greater part of my capital in the purchase of a hawker's' barrow at a cost of some £20, leaving barely enough capital to stock it. I paid the necessary hcenso feo to the City Council, and proceeded to sell on the streets in the manner provided in this country. I found, however, that a great prejudice existed against my countrymeu, and it has only been in the last month or > so that by constant attendance to business, cleanliness, and strict honesty I am enabled to make a bare living. I would liko to point out the foreign nations, Germans, Chinamen, ete., who are not British subjects, are able at 1 all times to apply' for assistance and advice to their respective Consuls, while we, who are your fellow subjects of the Empire, and who aro doing our _ best to earn an honest and decent living, have no authorised person to apply to for advice. Wo people are'taught to belibve, almost as part of our religion, in the absolute fairness of the Englishman. I ask tho public to consider if wo aro being fairly treated. All we ask is to be allowed to pursuo in peace a calling which was carried on' here long before we entered on the scene. Lot us be judged by the public.' If we are not wanted wo shall soon cease to exist. If, on the other_ hand, the public feci that wo are carrying out a long-felt want, and honestly doing out duty for the benefit of all, why, I ask, should we not bo allowed to earn our living like any other British subiccts? I have somewhat exceeded the limit of your space, but I hope you will exousa my inability to expicss myself in shorter terms, and thanking you,—l am, etc., BHANA;CHHIBA BHULIA. Licensed Indian Hawker.