Post by NZBC on Jul 15, 2012 12:41:10 GMT 12
MEETING OF MARKET GARDENERS AT NEWMARKET.
A meeting of market-gardeners, greengrocers, &c, was convened last evening at the Newmarket Hotel, at 7 o'clock, to consider various matters affecting trade interests, and Chinese labour in connection therewith. About 20 persons were present. Mr. Green, gardener, on being called to the chair, requested Mr. Mclndoe to explain the object of the meeting, which that gentleman did in a brief and succinct manner. After a desultory conversation, the following resolution was moved by Mr. Gardiner, and seconded by Mr. Mclndoe "That a petition to the City Council be prepared for signature, requesting that body to make a by-law compelling the marketgardeners to dispose of their produce at the Auckland market in the first instance, with liberty to hawk it for sale after 12 o'clock in the day that the hawkers' shilling permit be abolished, and a uniform fee of £1 be charged in lieu thereof, covering a period of six months." There were conflicting interests represented at the meeting— that of the growers and of the retailers —but the resolution was discussed is a very fair and dispassionate manner by Messrs. Green, Mclndoe, and Costello, on the part of the former, and by Messrs. Gardiner, Neale, Ball, Atkinson, and McGarry, on the side of the latter. During the debate, it was suggested to have three market-days—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in order that the supply of fruit and vegetables might be more regular, and fresher in condition than at present. Mr. Ball, alter giving his experience of produce markets in the Cape Colony, moved, by way of an amendment, "That the meeting petition the Newmarket Highway Board to set aside a piece of land for the purpose of a greengrocers' market, &c, at Newmarket.' The proposal failed to find a seconder. Mr. McGarry referred in somewhat strong terms to the Chinese market-gardeners. Go where he would with his vegetables, he was sure to see a Chinaman. These were encouraged, and had land leased to them by such a gentleman as Mr. Seccombe (at Khyber Pass), and Mr. Thomas Morrin (at Remuera). He proposed that they should make a solemn resolution to drink up more of Seecombe's beer. He took his share of that commodity himself, but he was willing to forego it for the public good. (Laughter.) -Mr. Morrin should be similarly dealt with, by refraining from making purchases at his store. They should keep the Chinese out of the colony, and deal with them as the people were now doing in America. Mr. McGarry's proposals were “spoiled" for want of a seconder, the meeting of two evils choosing the least, preferring to endure the Heathen Chinee' rather than accept the unreal alternative of cutting off the supply of Seccombe's beer. Some of the speakers testified to the industry and trades market ability of the Chinese gardeners, and considered that the complainants had the remedy largely in their own hands by emulating them in these qualities. After some general conversation, it was ultimately agreed to have another meeting for the fuller discussion of that and other matters, at the same place and hour, on Wednesday next, the 20th instant. New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5069, 14 February 1878, Page 3
MARKET GARDENERS.
A meeting of market gardeners, including growers and retailers, was held at the Market yesterday evening—Mr. Green in the chair.
The chairman regretted the small attendance. For his part he did not as a grower feel so much interest in it as the smallest retailer, but they should all work together and he considered that growers should not be retailers as well. The object he wished to see carried out was to petition the City Council to prevent growers from being hawkers as well, but to do as they did in Melbourne and Sydney—use to the market to dispose of their stuff to retailers.
Mr. Milner considered always that there was something wrong with the vegetable trade in Auckland, where growers fancied that they had to run about and sell their stuff, and he did not think there was another place in the British Empire where this was done. The place had now grown to such an extent that the trade should be an important one. The City Council seemed to think so when they built the Market, but they had never been able to carry their intentions into effect. In the summer season vegetables were so plentiful that the market was overstocked by those whom he would call disinterested growers, but in winter these did nothing. A gentleman who could not eat a box of peaches or send them to the Hospital, where they would be acceptable, sold them for what they would fetch, and so brought down the market. It was only the other day that he met the gardener of a member of the Legislative Council, coming into market with rhubarb. This competition lowered the market and prevented growers from producing good articles, as they would get no more for them than indifferent ones. To remedy this the City Council should pass a law to compel the growers to come to a certain place, where the retail buyers should also come, and this would be an advantage to all, even to the consumer, who by this means would seek a better article. He denied that Chinamen grew better vegetables than Europeans, but If they were better, when all were brought together, then the Chinaman would do all the "better trade. He disclaimed any idea of attempting to suppress the Chinamen.
Mr. Newton approved of the suggestion that all growers should bring their stuff to the Market and remain till 11 o'clock, and then be allowed to take out any which they had not sold, and dispose of it where they could.
Mr. Garden would be in favour of doing away with the shilling license altogether, and compelling any person wanting a license to take one out for six mouths. By having a market three timed a week instead of twice they would always have fresh vegetables. Compelling growers to come to the Market, and insisting on a six months' license would have another very beneficial effect. It would prevent a grocers, butchers, lollyshop keepers and others from being greengrocers as well, and intending with the trade of greengrocers. The Chairman then proposed that three of those present be appointed a committee to prepare a petition and get signatures to it, asking the City Council to prepare and enforce a rule to prevent the hawking of goods by growers. Mr. Suiter urged that no license should be granted to growers, and that if they had not sold out in the Market by a given time they should only get a permit from the Market Inspector for the day to dispose of their surplus stock elsewhere. Mr. Ball, objected to licenses altogether. Finally the motion was put and carried, and Messrs. Mclndoe, Garden, and McGarry, were appointed the committee to prepare the petition, and get it signed and presented, the chairman to act with the committee. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5081, 28 February 1878, Page 3
A meeting of market-gardeners, greengrocers, &c, was convened last evening at the Newmarket Hotel, at 7 o'clock, to consider various matters affecting trade interests, and Chinese labour in connection therewith. About 20 persons were present. Mr. Green, gardener, on being called to the chair, requested Mr. Mclndoe to explain the object of the meeting, which that gentleman did in a brief and succinct manner. After a desultory conversation, the following resolution was moved by Mr. Gardiner, and seconded by Mr. Mclndoe "That a petition to the City Council be prepared for signature, requesting that body to make a by-law compelling the marketgardeners to dispose of their produce at the Auckland market in the first instance, with liberty to hawk it for sale after 12 o'clock in the day that the hawkers' shilling permit be abolished, and a uniform fee of £1 be charged in lieu thereof, covering a period of six months." There were conflicting interests represented at the meeting— that of the growers and of the retailers —but the resolution was discussed is a very fair and dispassionate manner by Messrs. Green, Mclndoe, and Costello, on the part of the former, and by Messrs. Gardiner, Neale, Ball, Atkinson, and McGarry, on the side of the latter. During the debate, it was suggested to have three market-days—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in order that the supply of fruit and vegetables might be more regular, and fresher in condition than at present. Mr. Ball, alter giving his experience of produce markets in the Cape Colony, moved, by way of an amendment, "That the meeting petition the Newmarket Highway Board to set aside a piece of land for the purpose of a greengrocers' market, &c, at Newmarket.' The proposal failed to find a seconder. Mr. McGarry referred in somewhat strong terms to the Chinese market-gardeners. Go where he would with his vegetables, he was sure to see a Chinaman. These were encouraged, and had land leased to them by such a gentleman as Mr. Seccombe (at Khyber Pass), and Mr. Thomas Morrin (at Remuera). He proposed that they should make a solemn resolution to drink up more of Seecombe's beer. He took his share of that commodity himself, but he was willing to forego it for the public good. (Laughter.) -Mr. Morrin should be similarly dealt with, by refraining from making purchases at his store. They should keep the Chinese out of the colony, and deal with them as the people were now doing in America. Mr. McGarry's proposals were “spoiled" for want of a seconder, the meeting of two evils choosing the least, preferring to endure the Heathen Chinee' rather than accept the unreal alternative of cutting off the supply of Seccombe's beer. Some of the speakers testified to the industry and trades market ability of the Chinese gardeners, and considered that the complainants had the remedy largely in their own hands by emulating them in these qualities. After some general conversation, it was ultimately agreed to have another meeting for the fuller discussion of that and other matters, at the same place and hour, on Wednesday next, the 20th instant. New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5069, 14 February 1878, Page 3
MARKET GARDENERS.
A meeting of market gardeners, including growers and retailers, was held at the Market yesterday evening—Mr. Green in the chair.
The chairman regretted the small attendance. For his part he did not as a grower feel so much interest in it as the smallest retailer, but they should all work together and he considered that growers should not be retailers as well. The object he wished to see carried out was to petition the City Council to prevent growers from being hawkers as well, but to do as they did in Melbourne and Sydney—use to the market to dispose of their stuff to retailers.
Mr. Milner considered always that there was something wrong with the vegetable trade in Auckland, where growers fancied that they had to run about and sell their stuff, and he did not think there was another place in the British Empire where this was done. The place had now grown to such an extent that the trade should be an important one. The City Council seemed to think so when they built the Market, but they had never been able to carry their intentions into effect. In the summer season vegetables were so plentiful that the market was overstocked by those whom he would call disinterested growers, but in winter these did nothing. A gentleman who could not eat a box of peaches or send them to the Hospital, where they would be acceptable, sold them for what they would fetch, and so brought down the market. It was only the other day that he met the gardener of a member of the Legislative Council, coming into market with rhubarb. This competition lowered the market and prevented growers from producing good articles, as they would get no more for them than indifferent ones. To remedy this the City Council should pass a law to compel the growers to come to a certain place, where the retail buyers should also come, and this would be an advantage to all, even to the consumer, who by this means would seek a better article. He denied that Chinamen grew better vegetables than Europeans, but If they were better, when all were brought together, then the Chinaman would do all the "better trade. He disclaimed any idea of attempting to suppress the Chinamen.
Mr. Newton approved of the suggestion that all growers should bring their stuff to the Market and remain till 11 o'clock, and then be allowed to take out any which they had not sold, and dispose of it where they could.
Mr. Garden would be in favour of doing away with the shilling license altogether, and compelling any person wanting a license to take one out for six mouths. By having a market three timed a week instead of twice they would always have fresh vegetables. Compelling growers to come to the Market, and insisting on a six months' license would have another very beneficial effect. It would prevent a grocers, butchers, lollyshop keepers and others from being greengrocers as well, and intending with the trade of greengrocers. The Chairman then proposed that three of those present be appointed a committee to prepare a petition and get signatures to it, asking the City Council to prepare and enforce a rule to prevent the hawking of goods by growers. Mr. Suiter urged that no license should be granted to growers, and that if they had not sold out in the Market by a given time they should only get a permit from the Market Inspector for the day to dispose of their surplus stock elsewhere. Mr. Ball, objected to licenses altogether. Finally the motion was put and carried, and Messrs. Mclndoe, Garden, and McGarry, were appointed the committee to prepare the petition, and get it signed and presented, the chairman to act with the committee. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5081, 28 February 1878, Page 3