Mr. Ernest Petty Replies

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

Mr. Ernest Petty Replies

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent “AntiHumbug” brackets, my name with that of “Socialist” in correspondence on your Nationalist policy leader, whereas my letter was on Sir Josiah Stamp’s inspired hit-and-run banker’s shot at our successful monetary reform three days later. Truth in advertising, even if it takes the form of letter writing for the Nationalists, would be preferable to this falsehood. Certainly he pays me the compliment of an “hysterical outburst” and then gives me a cool column of mush and wonders if * H would like to return to the charge.” Yes, so here “I goes in for it greyheaded, ’ ’ “bald” being a further stage of senile decay:— The Charge of the ‘Old Brigade’ Gang, Mr. Poison’s Version.

Johns to the right of us, Adams to the left of us, They volley and blunder, On —into the Garden Party, Stealing Savage’s thunder. I ‘ ‘scent it pays them best ’ ’ to use Labour’s brains. I agree “there is a pessimistic outlook in business circles” caused by looking out of their shop doors waiting for the next customer during the long depression years. I suggest instead of flinging “mud” they use it as a cold pack and acquire the Savage smile. He brackets again "the gift of the gab and running a fowl yard.” The gods have been generous to the Opposition in the first instance, and I know that when the Forbes-Coates Fowl Bill brood of chickens came home to roost some of the bad eggs were never returned.

Yes, “the Government’s cackling,” all right, but the people are gathering the eg&s of prosperity. Broody hens are just “opposite”; they don’t cackle. What on earth is the cackling about wheu he admits; “Labour would have gone in all the same.” The public knew and still know that they -were trap-nested by the Forbes-Coates regime —robbed of their goods and services. It is a darned pity that the “wontworks, rabble, civil servants and smart farmers” could not combine at a garden party. They would lynch—no, pinch—“Anti-Humbug.” So the Hon. M. J. Savage is a “stone-kissing Premier.” Ladies note! That’s nicer than “licking the dust” like George and Gordon did in defeat.

Now he yells about not “participating in the artificial prosperity.” If “artificial,” why worry about it? None of us needed artificial dentures to drink soup in the depression. If the Hon. Mr. Hamilton’s party is returned, will he make it Scotch Broth? Hiß slur upon the morality, past and future, of our women is made behind a nom-de-plume. Bravo!! He likens “wages and costs to a dog chasing its own tail—tho vicious circle. So when puppy gets hold of his