THE CHINESE AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5257, 13 May 1895, Page 1

THE CHINESE AND THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— l should like to offer a few suggestions respeoting the above important question?, in hope that other b more* able will carry on tbe agitation to a successful issue. Every European in the colony should do bis level best to oust the Chinamen. Here are they scooping in the money daily, while our unemployed Btand at the street corners, with their hands in their pockets, looking at them. As far as I can gather, there are from twenty-five to thirty Chinamen's carts en the Christchurch streets with vegetables, and their takings average from J6lO to £16 per week each cart. Hew much of this moDoy ever comes into circulation again P Now> I suppose, as Johnny paid poll-tax to land in the coloDy, it would not be right to turn him - oat, but if Government can take a man's freehold by paying tbe value of it, why not take the Chinamen's leasehold? Pay them for their crops — not the horses, carts, tools, &c, they can sell them after — and relet the gardens to Europeans. This would provide work for eomething like two hundred men, and their earnings would all be Bpent here again. Then, it the City Council would build a fruit, and vegetable market and prohibit market gardeners' carts from hawking round the streets, that would make an opening for a dozen or more good greengrocers' shops. Thene would require one or two hands each to solicit orders, deliver goods, &c, and several would be required for the market as collectors, watchmen and porters. — I sin, &c,

LATE COVENT GARDEN GROWER,

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— Ycuc columas inform us that a general meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association is to be called to consider the plans and ebtinmtea by Mr E a gland for the erection of luDcheon Tooms and grand stand on the grounds of the Association. It mush not be thought that I wish to decry Mr England's ability tv produce anch plans. Doubtless, hia plans ar« most suitable, bub would it not be more satisfactory to the committee e^d to the public if competitive designs and eatimatea were advertised for ? The

innual gathering of this Association drnws together tka largtßt concourse «f people heli in the colony, and leaving out of coofcideration wj individual opinion, that seating for 600 personß ia a grand Btand is very inadequate, architeits throughout the oolony would be proud to send in designs for the building. The combination of luncheon rootna «nd grand gtand may be successfully accomplished, if the sze of the building be extended, and result in en ultimate saving to the Association, if nofc a present one. I trugfc Home otfier pens, pflrhapa your own, wilt d-.al further wit > this subject. lam not an architect myself, and theieforo hava n<; pareona/ interest in the matter beyond the use of fcbe fltand.— sro, &;., fBO BONO PUBLICO.