JAPANESE ONIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 14, 17 July 1939, Page 10

JAPANESE ONIONS

GOVERNMENT SHIPMENT

BOYCOTT DECISION

CHINESE ACTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 16.

Strong resentment has been roused among the Chinese community throughout New Zealand by a decision to import Japanese onions.

A shipment stated to comprise 700 to 800 tons has been ordered by the Government and is due to arrive at Auckland later this month by the Naniwa Maru.

Chinese fruiterers throughout the Dominion have decided to boycott the oni6ns, and in this stand they are supported by a large section of European members of the trade.

Feeling rose high when tlie matter was discussed at a recent meeting of fruiterers, one of the lai'gest ever held in Auckland, and, though only a few Chinese were present, criticism of the Govex-nment's action was genex-al.

Several members of the trade approached were of opinion that the boycott would be supported by many Europeans and all Chinese in the retail fruit business. One leading fruiterer said that, even if he stocked Japanese onions, he did not expect the public would buy, in view of the present attitude of Japan to Biitaih, which had x-oused feeling throughout the Empire. '

LOCAL SUPPORT

CONSULAR ATTITUDE

Chinese residents of Wellington have .taken up a similar attitude to that of their countrymen in Auckland in expressing strong disapproval of the importation of Japanese onions. Some of the. onions, which will ai-rive at Auckland later in the month, may be offered for sale in Wellington, but Chinese fruiterers interviewed today said they would not handle the Japanese onions under any circumstances.

When the matter was referred to the Chinese Consulate at Wellington the following statement was made:—

The boycott lias been started voluntarily by the Chinese themselves, as all of them have signed a "people's pact" to pledge themselves not-to buy or handle enemy's goods. So far as this Consulate-General is concerned, it cannot take any action which may tend to stifle the patriotic ardour of its own nationals.

POSITION IN DUNEDIN

(By Telegraph—Press Associatiou.)

DUNEDIN This Day,

Local Chinese will support the boycott of Japanese onions, but Dunedin';; portion of the shipment is bound to be disposed of despite the boycott.