NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which in incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1920. THREE THOUSAND PER CENT.

Northern Advocate, 9 February 1920, Page 2

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which in incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1920. THREE THOUSAND PER CENT.

Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper.

The revelations made with regard to profiteering in the woollen trade are absolutely astounding. Looking simply at direct causes the public in New Zealand has felt that the wool-growers, who were receiving considerable increases on pre-war rates, were responsible for the exceptional prices charged for clothing of all kinds. Practically every line on tho market has taxed the resources of the housewife to purchase. Men's suits, women's costumes, hosiery and children's garments have increased to such a degree that the great difficulty has been experienced in keeping up ordinary decencies in the appearance of a family. There have been grumblings and questions as to why there should be such extortion. Fob quite a while no one could say whether it was the wool-grower or the wool-spinner that was to blame. The explanation is now to hand in the cabled report of the Profiteering Act Committee set up in England to investigate the profits made by the woollen mills in the West lUding. This report, pres-onted by the Board of Trade, reveals the fact that profits have been made up to 3000 per cent, and the very least made in excess of the profit niacin allowed by Government was 250 per cent. A most signiiicant statement is thai the Profiteering Act "had no effect on the prices of worsteds, yarns or the profits arising therefrom." The revelations made therefore prompt us to consider carefully how the restrictions placed on profiteering are being enforced in this country. As matters stand at present, the general public, is inclined to think that it is being robbed by the primary producer, and the result is industrial discontent. The circumstances revealed in the cables show plainly enough how the position stands, and it seems the plain duty of Mr Massey to ask the Imperial Government for an explanation. The wool purchase was agreed to because New Zealand believed that the clothing was needed for the men defending the Empire. Tho agreement was made willingly a3 our share in assisting in the struggle, but there were few farmors who thought that they wore giving away 3000 per eeut. profit to the Weat Riding epinaers.