ELECTRIC BELTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13079, 15 September 1904, Page 8

ELECTRIC BELTS.

Sir,—About four months ago a resident of this city wliowas suffering from rheumatism in his hands aud shoulders wrote to the M'Laughlin Elcctric Belt Company, Motrah's Buildings, Willis street, Wellington, in response to an advertisement, end asked tho price of this article. He received a letter complying with tho request and enclosing a batcli of circulars. Ho casually mentioned tho fact to mo and asked what I thought of it. Having read in'the London Standard tho report of a court ca-o where an electrio belt sold by the M'Laughlin Company was proved to be an utter imposture, and that the so-called- company was ordered to., repay tho money, I told him to havo nothing to do with it.' Notwithstanding his silence, he has been continuously pestered with circulars and typewritten letters asking why lto ho* not purchased, and offering on ono occasion to let him have tho article at one-fourth of the prico previously talced— quite sufficient proof in itself. In addition to these circulars is tho disgusting 0110 I enclose,"and which I found my friend's children reading. I was not aware at tho timo that in Germany this imposture hr.d been exposed as well, but I aldose a paragraph from Mr iiabouohcro's pape.r, Truth, of 4th August last, for the information of the public at large. Truth docs good service in England in that it runs these swindles to earth. *

Anothor case camo under my notice a few day 3 ago of a young girl, also suffering from rheumatism, who was induced to nay £7 for ono of these worthless things," which now reposes in the dust-bin; and I h»ve no doubt there aro numerous other similar cases.—l am, etc,, S. N. M.

(Extract from Truth, August 4, 19<H.) A letter recently written by the Dr H'Laugh'. lin gang to a party who had been nibbling, but had not taken the bait, contains this instructivo paragraph:-—"You can have our Jatesb (improved and beat No. 8 'The Giant 1 electro vigour, the. regular price of which is £15, for £5, 01- our No. 7 for £3." So that if he stands out Jong enough a customer can get the article for which £15 was at first asked for one-third of that price. This being the usual course of business, what clearer evidence could be desired of its swindling character? Let it be further remembered that tho German police have lately warned the public of that country tliat the M'Laughlui belts, having bsen scientifically tested, are fouud to'be useless for producing any medical results, and it will be 'seen that even the £5 asked for is £5 too much.