THE BEQUEST IMPUDENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10560, 10 April 1920, Page 10

THE BEQUEST IMPUDENT

AND RETORT DISCOURTEOUS. AUSTRALIAN PAPER SNUBS THE HUN. Frightfulness overborne, the German reverts to his ‘‘peaceful penetration’’ tactics, quite and cheerful. The proprietors of the Perth “Sunday Times” received recently the following missive:—Berlin, S.W. 19, Kra.usenstr, 38-39, August 20th, 1919.—Considering tile reopening of commercial relations between our countries, our advertising agency has already received a number of inquiries concerning advertisements in your press. Therefore, we ask you to kindly let us have by returning mail, registered: 1. A complete scale of charges showing your rate for ordinary and small advertisements, in two copies, if possible.

2. A number of latest specimen copies of your publication statins; the highest commission you, will allow us on all orders remitted to you through our medium. 3. Kindlv address both to the Ala Allmenine Anzeigen Gesellchaft m.h.h., Auslandsabteilnng, Berlin S.W. 19, Krausenstrasse, SB-39.

And for reference to bona fides, the names of various German firms yero supplied. Over the signature of the managing director, the "Sunday Times's’’ reply January 24th, 1920. Gentlemen, —Your letter of August 20th last has reached us.

Ldt us say right away that _ we are not greatlv surprised at receiving it. The toughness of the German hide is proverbial, and your letter proves it. . .

Here we are busy receiving pur hoys hack from the front, after giving your Bodies a. good and never-to-be-forgotten beating, and you hav.o the cool cheek to write to us for our prices for the purpose of resuming business. Herr Hun, there isn’t enough money in the whole of your country to buy an inch of space in this paper, so you need not trouble ns any more. Wo may tell you that, not only do wo not desire your trade, but 1 it is also our policy to discourage business with you as much as lies in our power, and we shall keep a sharp eye on any attempt to foist your goods on this part of Australia. _ That is a groat joke in your letter. We refer to the offering of names of German firms ns a guarantee of your hona fides. But who will guarantee the firms you mention? \Ve would not take their word for a brass pfennig. Nothing doing.