PROFITEERING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10614, 12 June 1920, Page 11

PROFITEERING

(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) ° Sir,-—I Ivave read with much interest f»ir John Findlay’s articles on ‘‘Profiteering,” and will admit that ho has given a fairly comprehensive survey of the causes of which the profiteer is onlv an effect. But—and this is the rub—-effects tiro also caused, and Sir John Findlay is wise in his day and generation in trying to point out the dangerous effects the “profiteer” has on the mass psychology. Wo live in a period when the mass will sing “Hosanna” on Monday, and “Give us Barabbas” on Tuesday, and “Oh Richard! Oh, My King!” to-day and to-morrow. Now, while I wish to give Sir John every credit for his opening address, I would remind him that a good opening does not excuse a had conclusion; and some of his reasoning ■is difficult to follow. Why docs he appeal to Malthus? Is Malthus the highest authority on biology ? Even if true, it is cold comfort to tell Lazarus_ that he died of starvation according to the law of Malthus. Why not tell Dives, straight out. that Lazarus will ho in a position to torment him by holding a piece of water-melon iust out of reach, after the Deluge? Sir John recognises wo live in a period of transition, but he does not expect a. change. Let me quote: . . . "whereby a close co-operation is established between Capital and Labour ('including management) taking tho whole of the product of our industries, after duo provision ia made for reserves and for payment of a reasonable rate of interest.” If the learned knight had appealed for “more production’’ ns an antidote for the present chaos, he certainly could not have come te a more futile conclusion. By proposing a- change in the basis of society and still have a class that can live well without rendering social service is to put his cure outside the scope of practical politics. In conclusion, sir, Sir John is true to his motto, “Hitch your wagon to a star,” when ho comes down to earth we will listen. ELECTRON. Ta-wa Flat.