Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Dominion Federation of New Zealand Chinese Commercial Growers

The Dominion Federation of New Zealand Chinese Commercial Growers is proud to publish this set of books. The suggestion of writing a book about the history of the Dominion Federation was first proposed as a remit to the 1982 annual Federation conference. Since then there have been attempts to complete such a book and I wish to acknowledge Eddie Sun’s research paper in 1989 and Joe Yue Sing’s early history of the Federation in 1996 included in his book A Brief History of the Overseas Chinese in New Zealand. More recently, the Federation wished to have its own history recorded as with the passing of years the numbers of senior members with early knowledge of the Federation have diminished. However, there were still some with good memories and willing to contribute their knowledge.
The Dominion Federation of New Zealand Chinese Commercial Growers was established on 15 January 1943 at the request of the New Zealand government to support New Zealand's wartime commitment to supply vegetables to the allied forces in the Pacific. It has been the national representative body of Chinese market gardeners in New Zealand for almost 70 years and has looked after the interests of its community, often in the face of hardship and adversity. The Federation is unique in being the only national Chinese growers' organisation in the world.
Having been deeply involved in the organisation since 1962, I thoroughly recommend this publication as an absorbing tale of Chinese growers who supplied the people of New Zealand with healthy, fresh vegetables for over a century. Our appreciation extends to all past and present members of our organisation and their achievements both locally and nationally. A special tribute should be paid to our foundation committee members for their generosity in time and voluntary contributions. This book is a way of thanking them and rewarding them; ‘never to be forgotten.’
Publishing the book would not have been possible without the support of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust and the huge number of sponsorships from those involved in the commercial growing industry. To all, we extend our grateful thanks.
K J Young
Honorary President
Dominion Federation of New Zealand Chinese Commercial Growers

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