HIDES-BOOTS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12012, 15 March 1920, Page 4

HIDES-BOOTS.

Mr Newman, M.P., addressed the following letter to tne Editor, Evening Post, Wellington, on the 12th inst:—Sir—Had Mr Ward taken the trouble to read the report of my speech at Marton, in“ either the Dominion, the Wanganui Chronicle, or the Rangicikei Advocate, he would not have issued his silly challenge. I did not say “That huge profiteering had been done was unquestionable. ” I said, “I hoped that the Government would stop profiteering,” it it were proved to exist, after a thorough investigation had been made by the Board of Trade. With regard to Mr Massey’s statement about raw material being sent to Australia and coming back in the form of boots, I certainly said, ‘‘That Mr Massey bad made such a statement.” The Auckland Weekly of the 4th inat reported so, and so did all the other New Zealand I believe it to bo true. It is not for me to defend the Prime Minister’s statements, he Is qaite able to do that himself, as Mr Ward will find out if he tackles him.

Before Mr Ward again rushes into print, he should make certain of his facts. I feel sure that the public Will demand that the question of “profiteering” in connection with the manufacture and sale of footwear shall be exhaustively investigated without delay. If the verdict of the board is that there has been no “profiteering,”, then Mr Ward will be justified in taking back his cheque for £350; if, on the other hand, the decision is that “profiteering” has taken place, then I assume that the R.S.A. will benefit to the amount named. If Mr Ward thinks he i§ going to shut the months of public men ia New Zealand by threatening them with monetary losses if they refer , to “profiteering, ” then hu never made a greater mistake' in.his life I cah'assure him of that.-—I am, etc., EDWARD NEMWAN. Marton, 11th March.