THE YELLOW PERIL, Wairarapa Age, 22 April 1920

WAG19200422.2.24.1-a2-c32 — The Yellow Peril. Wairarapa Age, p. 5. April 22, 1920https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19200422.2.24.1

THE YELLOW PERIL.^[1][]

WAIRARAPA AGE, 22 APRIL 1920[]

(To the Editor.)

Sir,— It is to be hoped the women of Masterton will take note of your comment on the above question before it is too late. In this day's paper I note that the Customs account was enlarged by £2000 through the influx of twenty more Chinese into New Zealand. When in Carterton recently, I noticed one of the most up-to-date shops being nearly completed, right in the centre of the town, and on enquiry I learned it was to be shortly opened by a Chinese firm of fruiterers, grocers, and drapers. Yes, the women are alone responsible for the big hold the Chinese fruiterers are gaining in many towns of New Zealand. It is difficult to understand how they will pass a European shop, and give their custom to the Chinese. If one takes a quiet walk along the streets of Masterton, and peeps into the Chinese shops, he will nearly always see women of all ages purchasing their fruit, and even sweets, from these undesirable people. As you say, if they were not patronised, they would very soon have to close up. Perhaps, then, some of our returned soldiers might get a look in. There are many, no doubt, who, with their wives, could run fruit shops as well as the Chinese. A great many of them are compelled to find light employment of some form or another, and the fruit business is one that could be very easily learned. Let the Chinamen go out and make roads and railways if they want to come into the country. As a final, I would suggest that the women take the matter up, form a club, and decide not to patronise the Chinese fruit shops, or let every father impress on his wife and family to "cut them out."—l am, etc.,

NEW ZEALANDER.----