PRISONERS AS GARDENERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13725, 15 April 1908, Page 6

PRISONERS AS GARDENERS.

OPPOSITION IX AUCKLAND. A The Auckland Market Gardeners' Association do not approve of the proposal of the Prime Minister in regard to the utilisation of prison labour in market gardening. The members of the association express the opinion that when Sir J. Ward made his remarks, on the subject, he was not aware that of the vegetables produced in Auck- r land, it large proportion are grown by white labour. They accordingly addressed a letter to him, asking that the schema be not given effect to, and also that on his next visit to Auckland lie would receive a deputation from the association, who would place the matter more fully before him. At a meeting of the association lial evening, the secretary reported that a reply had not yet been received, but he produced a petition bearing on the matter, and asked for signatures, a- request which was immediately complied with, over 40 members coining forward. It was decided to forward the document to the Prime Minister when further signatures had been procured. A discussion followed on the action of the Chinese in persisting in labouring in their gardens on Sundays, and a. member '_ stated that he thought that the attention of the* police should be. drawn to the fact. A Voice: There are white men who do it also. Another Voice: Ah! there's a cue for the Bishop. Are we becoming pagan*? (Loud laughter.} & It was decided to draw the attention '•} of the police to the matter.