IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT AND BUTTER PROFITS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2291, 18 June 1921, Page 2

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT AND BUTTER PROFITS.

MR. G. MITCTIELL, M.P. for Wellington South, dealing with a charge oft profiteering in bul ter and cheese against the Imperial Government, says, inter alia:—“What amount Great Britain made out of butter I. do not know, but I do know she has had more than her share of the ‘white man’s burden’ these last few years. She was the cow which everyone milked since the outbreak of hostilities, especially some nations who were ever ready to squeeze out the last drop, during our Empire's struggles in till* throes of war. Her appalling burdens, beside which our own is small indeed, are only equalled by her courage, her nobility, and her greatness. Whatever she has made out of our produce — and it may he very small when tho present stocks are realised —it is as nothing to the debt we owe to the great mother of our race, by whose sacrifices we were saved from the shame, humility and poverty of foreign domination. The wreck of battle is yet all around her; her people are bruised and .torn and undone with lighting abroad and domestic strife at home, by the designs of foreign enemies, and her own traitors. Yet from it all the great nation again lifts her massive head clear above the debris and the fog

—her armies still unconquered on the field,' and with untarnished honour at home. She stands the noblest edifice that God has ever fashioned by the hand of man. For the sake of us'all, may her broken ranks soon be closed again, and prosperity and happiness reign amongst her people,' that she may continue to fulfil her rightful mission and lead the world for. the good and happiness of mankind and the glory of God. This is the Empire and the cause for which so many thousands gave their lives, and thousands more were maimed. What is our mean, monetary sacrifice in comparison with that which they gave? How small is the Empire’s debt to us in comparison with our debt to the Empire? God knows England had to pay enough. Is it in keeping with our pride and patriotism to say that we should have had still more? I refuse to believe that such sentiments generally exist, for they are unworthy of any Britisher. Whatever may be our little local differences, and we will always have them, I appeal to critics to stop this miserable charge of profiteering against the Imperial Government. It is humiliating alike to our personal pride and our country’s- prestige, and does not, I am sure, represent the opinion of our producers or any other section of our loyal people.”