USEFUL WORK" CHINESE GARDENERS APPLYING FOR LICENSES

"USEFUL WORK" CHINESE GARDENERS APPLYING FOR LICENSES

Appreciation of the useful work of Chinese market gardeners in the Auckland district was voiced by Mr. E. J. Phelan, No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, this morning, when dealing with applications for ancillary licenses under the Transpert Goods Emergency Regulations. Applications were lodged by 60 Chinese and about a dozen Hindus. In reply to the authority, Mr. Chong, secretary of the Auckland Chinese Commercial Growers' Association, said that about 2000 acres were farmed by his compatriots in the Auckland district. They produced vegetables and supplied the local market, and, in some cases, delivered from house to house. A survey had not been made of the number of Chinese engaged in market gardening, but it was hoped to make one later. The Chinese, added Mr. Chong, were willing to cooperate as much as they could to economise in transport. In the case of the Hindu applicants, it was stated that in some instances deliveries of fruit and vegetables were made from shops to surrounding districts. The opinion was expressed by the authority that such deliveries should be discontinued during the war. The authority reserved decision in respect of all the applications. Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 100, 29 April 1943, Page 6