FRAUDS ON SOCIETY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1202, 11 March 1880, Page 3

FRAUDS ON SOCIETY.

At no period, probably, of the earth's history could there be found such violent contrasts in the social system of the human raee — barbarism interlocked -with civilisation ; the greatest scientific penetration intermingling with the most profound ignorance ; wealth of almost boundless abundance in the vicinity of the deepest and most hopeless poverty; religion of the most ostentatious character thinly divided from free thought, unshackled in its aspirations ; honesty and honour of the most sensitive quality verging on legal and illegal acts of fraud, audacious in their openness and ingenious in their application. In commerce, also, the two-sided character prevails — the good and the bad, the true and the false. Even science, the discoverer of the true in nature, lends her aid to the manufacturer to sophisticate Ids wares and impose oil his customers. The British manufacturer and merchant is no longer the soul of honour. Inferior goods are foisted on the unconscious purchaser with all the finish of the true and genuine article ; or, if sophistication is not practised, short weight or short measure are adopted to bring about the same fraudulent end. And yet the individuals who practice these deceptions are highly respectable men, and would be very indignant if told they were rogues who obtained money under false pretences. Competition in business and the haste to get rich, we are told, are the inciting causes. If to this were added the desire to cut a dash in the world by an expensive style of living, it would be nearer the truth. In these colonies our commercial dealings are also open to criticism by the boldness with which hazardous ventures are entered into with inadequate capital. The theory is — if we win we make a pile, if we lose the loss is divided among our creditors. It is certainly surprising how long creditors are in finding out that they are being duped. Mr Slapdash, with cheek of brass and honied tongue, after sufficient interI val of cogitation, resolves to push his fortunes, and the fortunes of the credulous and well-to-do inhabitants of Happy Valley. Mr Slapdash is greatly impressed with the internal resources of Happy Valley, and its capacity for development, and he resolves to push it ahead. The Happy Valleyites are of course highly delighted at this patriotic resolve, and all are willing to lend a hand. After a period of listless inactivity, in a climate somewhat enervating, the blustering energy of a Slapdash tt'iuls to brace the flabby intentions of Ibr cnivful ;ind thrifty, though

feeble-minded, townsmen. Slapdash [ accordingly keeps them in a state of active excitement, with all the pleasurable emotion that a game of ! unlimited 100 gives to those in the swim ; when, lo ; the whole scheme of financial and public progress collapses, and leaves the initiated floored. Or Mr Oily Gammon tries his hand to make something out of nothing with the assistance of confiding depositors and clients. He is the soul of honour, and so sensitive to dishonorable intention on the part of those who have not the same high ! principles as his own, that he would j on all occasions sheet home the dishonour however remote that home may be. Yet, notwithstanding, the shadow of the law, the aid of trickery finance, and a spurious political creed, Oily Gammon comes to unmitigated grief, bringing ruin in his fall. Too great a simpleton to succeed in finance, and not clever enough to be successful in very sharp speculation, which in most cases is only a name for very shady practice, he sinks into oblivion. The small fry of unscrupulous debtors follow suit, and find the only easy way to pay debts is to file their schedules, pay a shilling in the pound, and thus start with a clear sheet again. The old feeling of abhorrence of debt and an anxious desire at all hazards and sacrifices to pay what is owing, is fast dying out among a certain set who find evasion too easy and too profitable. The time is come when tricky, fraudulent, and unscrupulous bankrupts ought to be severely dealt with. The remedy, to a large extent, lies in the hands of creditors. They, as a rule, allow the insolvent to get off easily to avoid, as they say, throwing good money after bad. This is a mistake. Though the loss falls on individuals, these fraudulent actions are offences against the State, and their punishment is absolutely necessary to preserve public credit. If all debts and honourable obligations could not be enforced, our commerce — great and small — would collapse like a house of cards, and civilization would become extinct. The ability to obtain payment for goods sold or for services rendered — that is, to enforce the performance of a legal contract — is really all the difference between a high and a low state of civilisation, and anything that tends to impair its enforcement, so far strikes at the root of all modern progress. Hence it is that we deplore these frauds on society, which are wrongs that all good men should denounce and endeavour to punish. — Budget.

Thl new Pure Cash System now being initiacdt by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It ha:> been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods arc marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, milhnary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the-bujerthc advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bearaportionofthc loss should the years business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are dctirmined to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Fur-iishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerate c prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire \alue of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is Nhw and chiiAl'LY Houcm. An inspection is invited.— Garlick and Cr vwi-li , City Hall Furbishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.