Fear Chinese Invasion In Retail Frail Trade

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1939, Page 8

Fear Chinese Invasion In Retail Frail Trade

l Per Press Association. Copyright] CHRISTCHURCH, This Buy.

Fear of a Chinese “invasion” into the retail fruit business is causing anxiety to establish retailers in Christchurch.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that a Chinese syndicate has been formed in Auckland for the purpose of establishing a chain of 90 shops throughout New Zealand, and that Christchurch is to be the chief centre of the “invasion.” In Auckland. Wellington and Dunedin the Chinese already have a large share of the retail fruit business, Christchurch is the only centre where Europeans have been able to maintain control. Alleged Boycott Threat. Resentment at the opening of three new Chinese shops was openly expressed by some retailers in one auction room this week, when, it was alleged, they refused to buy unless an assurance was given by the broker that further supplies of green bananas would not be given to one of these new shops. The boycott, threat, it is reported, achieved its end. Officials of the Retailers’ Association state that they have no knowledge of such action being taken. Increase In Arrivals.

The fact that greater numbers of Chinese arrived in New Zealand during the past six months than ever before is also causing European retailers considerable concern, while established Chinese retailers are also reported to be somewhat perturbed. According to the Abstract of Statistics, arrivals in the six months to end of October exceeded departures by 410.