EDITORIAL STATEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9793, 17 October 1917, Page 3

EDITORIAL STATEMENT

‘ ‘EXTRAORDINARILY A SININE. ’ ’ A MEDICAL EXAMINATION SUGGESTED. Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M.P. for the Wairarapa, gave notice in the IHouse yesterday of his intention to ask the Prime Minister “If his attention has been called to the following sentences contained in a leading article in the ‘Dominion’ newspaper of to-day's date, having reference to the proposal to appoint a Food Controller for New Zealand ;

Tt will be seen, therefore, that what is proposed is that the Food Controller shall buy foodstuffs at their full export value, sell them to the people below that value, and make up the loss out of rhe pockets of the people in a roundabout way. A farmer, for instance, sells his butter at the export price of Is 7d a pound, fie buys it back fog his own use at Is 5d a' pound . . . and the 2d loss sustained by the State is taken out of the taxation which ho pays

into the Consolidated Fund.’ In view of this extraordinary asinine statement, will the Prime Minister direct tho National Efficiency Board to have the editor of the ‘Dominion’ newspaper medically examined, in. order that while the said editor is suffering from brain storm, induced by an overzealous desire to protect the food profiteers, he may be removed to a curative institution Mr Hornsby had proceeded tints far with his question when the Sneaker interjected, “So far as I can tell that is not a question that should go on the Order Paper.” Mr Hornsby said that he had nearly finished. AVhat remained was not in the nature of comment on tho proceedings of the Government of _ the House, it was only part of his question; but the Speaker ruled that the hon. member could proceed no further. He (the Speaker) must consider the. question and see wlietncr it snould go on the Order Paper.