IMMORAL PROFITEERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3332, 10 November 1919, Page 2

IMMORAL PROFITEERS.

._._._0_._.... SMUTS’ SUGGESTIONS.

“APPEAL TO HONOUR."

(JAPETOWN, Oct. 27.

Speaking at a social at Pretoria at which his conslitll(snts prosentmi him with» an illuminated address, General -Smuts dwelt on the amelioration of economic conditions, and said that more social justice was needed all round. South Africa was better off than other. countl-iés, -particularly in respect to foodstuffs, but that was no excuse.

The Government had called a. conference to deal with this complex question, and it was going to appoint local committees all over the country, but it was the experience in ‘other countries’ that committees did not go to the root of the matter. General Smuts felt that until, by public opinion, they brought home to those guilty of profitcering in foodstuffs and rack-renting the immoral character -of those practices, it would be diflicult to cope with the situation. General Smuts said that in the last resort they must appeal to everyone’s feelings of honour and generosity, and to their wisdom, to refrain from prae—‘vices making it impossible for the Door to live under present circumstances. He earnestly deprecated racial‘ polities -being allowed to obscure the‘merits of this question. ~

“If you want me to continue on the old lines of the past 20 years[’ 0-011-cludod General Smuts, “then I say get another member and another Prime Minister.

“It”: you want to see a great South Afnica, where the people are determined to make use of the opportunities that Providence has put in their

power, then I am your man.” (C+heers.)