A Growing Evil.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 571, 17 February 1891, Page 3

A Growing Evil.

|TO THE EDITOR.)

Sir, —There is a something growing in our midst—slowly, but surely—and that something is the great grievance the people bf New Zealand generally have reason to complain of, aye, and do bitterly complain of, tho uneven competition of the Chinese. The residents of San Francisco were for a long time blind to tbe eventual result which undoubtedly followed "John,” and only awakened to the bitter knowledge when it was discovered that quietly, and inch by inch, the Olestials had secured the very core of the city of the Golden Gate, In Dunedin the same thing occurred ; in Auckland and other cities the acquisitions by the almond-eyed strangers are becoming a menace to tradesmen, and even in our little town the Chinaman is gradually obtaining a hold. Some people say, “ Well, if it were not for the Chinamen vegetables would be hardly procurable, or, if so, only nt an almost prohibitive pries.” Certainly there is something in this, but very little if panned out. Personally the matter is but nothing, but for the general good I do not think I am wrong in cautioning those who secure the fruit of the earth at a risk few would care to run if they but knew the gangers existing through the mode of manuring adopted. Soma little time ago, in Dunedin, this was fairly put by Mr Vincent Pyke, who, in his capacity as J. P., occupied the Magisterial Bench. Two Chinamen were charged with having a nuisance upon their premises (occupied by some twenty others), and evidence went to show a horribly filthy state of things, and an indescribable practice in which compatriot gardeners were concerned. Mr Pyke marked his displeasure by inflicting a substantial fine, remarking at the same time that the practice was one which might occasion a serious epidemic. It is a well-known fact that disease can be contracted ;n most peculiar ways, and certainly not the least improbable of these would be through vegetables grown as stated above. —I am, etc.,

European.