The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1916. A PUBLIC CANCER.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 151, 29 June 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1916. A PUBLIC CANCER.

(With which is incorporated The Till bape Post and Waimarino News.)

A paternal Government reminds us to be wary of the greed, avarice, and cdishojiesty of boot manufacturers. We are advised that the boots we purchase may partially be composed of paper, cardboard, or some worthless composition. In simplicitude of heart and trust in our fellow men, we never doubted that when we bought our boots they were made of the* old-fashioned material. Now we find that this notion must be abandoned. Progressive and enterprising manufacturers, it seems, have found ways of using cardboard and worthless compositions to impose on our unsophistication and credulity, so that they make make fifty per cent, or mare profit on their goods than if leather were used. Look where one will, it appears that it is disastrous to put trust in anything in the way of either food or elothing. Substitution of worthless and destructive materials in the manufacture of any commodity is merely the grasping of a dishonest offer of fortune. It is pleasing and gratifying to believe that there are many people yet who neglect opportunities to dishonestly acquire wealth. Nevertheless, observation indicates that, however much the moderation of such people be boasted by themselves, or admired by such as only view r them at a distance, it will be, perhaps, seldom found that they value riches less, but that they dread labour more than others, and are unable to arouse themselves to action, to strain in the race of competition, or to stand the shock of contest. But though thoy decline the toil of climbing, they nevertheless wish themselves aloft, and would willingly enjoy what they are afraid to seize. Mankind has many failings and weaknesses, but none seem so utterly mean and contemptible as that practice of robbery and cheating which, while it enables the culprit to amass riches, it pushes very many of his victims to the verge of starvation. The manufacturer

insists from his men a fair day's work for the remuneration he has to pay, and yet lie will sell a conglomerate of paper, paste, composition and leather to unsuspecting purchasers of his boots. It is hot suggested that boot manufacturers are any more culpable than makers of other articles, or, in fact, of any caterer for public needs and conveniences. The ..question is, where is. it going to end Adulteration and substitution may be made unlawful, but unless some drastic course is taken—say confiscation of everything in contravention of the law—a competition in cheating and robbery must evolve which cannot be other than a national danger. The dishonesty of manufacturers and traders already costs a small country like Now Zealand thousands of pounds a year, in the enquiries, commissions, boards of trade, legislation of both Houses, and administration of the laws enacted, to curb their vile propensities. It is well that we should realise what the greed, avarice and dishonesty of a few is costing the taxpayer of this little land. To estimate that cost at thousands is no exaggeration, to say nothing of the further gain these men make by selling a spurious article. The leaflet issued by the Government reminds us that with respect, to the abuses in footwear alone ■ two Acts of Parliament have been necessitated. The time of the Legislature has been taken up for many days on "The Footwear Regulation Acts of 1913 and 1915"; but footwear manufacturers are not one tittle worse than others, nor has their dishonesty cost the country more to restrict. The danger is that, despite all legislation, and rules and regulations, the pernicious thieving is spreading, and is being practised in more devious ways. To legislate and regulate, issue reminders and cautions, is only so much waste of time; the only quick, ready and sure way is to confiscate straight away any article that is not what it is plainly and openly represented to be. It is time taxpayers insisted that their representatives in Parliament should not become more and more a board of detectives. Ministers are stating that public printing must be cut down, and yet the Government printing office is burdened with the printing of cautions and reminders against robbers that are allowed to do a flourishing trade in our midst. Let us state frankly that we know that it is not our New Zealand factories that are imposing on the people by substitution... but it is the cheaply-made goods that are allowed to enter into competition with them. If the Customs Inspector were- empowered to confiscate' shipments of spurious goods as tliey were landed it would save the general taxpayer a huge sum of money that is now spent in l&w----making and administration. Ho that our readers may benefit by the information the Government leaflet, before us conveys, it Mill be published in "full in to-morrow's issue. v „ .