PRISON LABOUR VEGETABLES,

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 121, 22 May 1908, Page 4

PRISON LABOUR VEGETABLES,

TO TH» KDITOB. Sir, — In the recent proposition of Sir J. G. WaTd, in the matter of utilising prison labour in the production of vegetables, which would be sold in direct ; competition with the product of free labour, we. have an example of how necessary it is for the to make himself c. thoroughly acquainted with the real facts in Telation to any industry before legislating thereon. In the present instance, our Premier is evidently under the impression that the European' market gardener is practically extinct, and that the industry is entirely monopolised' by Chinese, whereas the fact is tha.t a large proportion of the vegetables consumed in the Dominion id produced by white labour. The im % mediate result of Kir J. G. Ward's proposal, if carftedi out, would be to de- •. prive of their means of livelihood a large body of hard-working European gardeners, andi to greatly depreciate the '• value of their property.. We consider - that we are entitled to the same treat- ■ ment *s any other body of men in the community, and we confidently appeal .td all fair-minded people in the Do- •' minion for their support against this proposal. — I am, etc., D. R. OONNELL, Secretary Auckland Market Gardeners' , Association.

The depression in the hemp industry,-, according to the Westport ' Times, has liberated a large number of men, andconsequently plenty of labour. -is at present offeriue for th©_ c Jliexiflsw