Republican farmer., 1919-08-22
BRITAIN IS
 IN THE GRIP
 0F PROFITEERS
Long Prison Terms Are
 Advocated.
WOULD NOT
 ALLOW FINES
Labor Leader Has Firm Policy to Stop Scandal.

u on1v adeouate puntsnment for the pro- | fsteer-and even that is too mild. It is useless to irspose fine-a fine which ia paid Sut of the profits which L-ve been eAtorted from the public. | The profitser can afford to pay, with a sardonic grin, any money penalty that may be inflicted upon him; and he straishaway goes and exaots high CT profits as interest on the fine. Prison, and long term of 1t, with out option or fine, may succeed as a deterrent; and the necessary steps must be taken at once if serious trou- bie is to be averted in this country. Much has been said and written about the profiteering problem, but very few peoples fully realize the dimensions or the gravity of the question
 Profiteering has assumed the pro portions of a national scandal, and the proflteer must be regarded as the enemy of the community and a trait 0r to. hfs country.
 He must be dealt with promptly and severely, for he has forfeited the right to consideration or mercy. 1n- deed, I am not sure that he has not fokfehted, by his nefarious practices the right to justice. But let us give him justice, having strengthened the arm of the law to lash him as he deserves to be lash- ed.
 Looked at now with as calm a mind SIS possible, the problem is be- wildertng, overwhelming, inexplicable no, not 90 much ''inexpicable" as inoomprehensTble. am asked to solve a situation which has puzzled the united intelligence and the &C., cunrz11ated wisdom of all the Govern D-Lz1-tnaentsL Where angels fear to tread-weIl, others rush in. Before I deal with the most press ing question of the food problem, let me ask why the enormous stocks of woolens and leather, and other much wanted commodities which were known to be in the country, are being held up?
 If these stocks were released at once, even if they were thrown on the market with certain restrictions imposed as regards the retail prices that might be charged, the situation would be relieved. But these stocks, which are national property, must not be disposed of in such a way that wholesale speculation will be posSi- ble.
 Immense quantities of cloth are in stock-nniles and miles and countless miles of it It Is being reserved for heaven knows what reason or for what earthly possible contingency. And while this "hoarding' is being practiced the prices of clothes arc mounting and mounting, and will continue to mount until the poor men or men of moderate means, with their heavy responsibilities, will be unable to afford a decent covering for themselves and their families.
 
 about dn shabby garments their value will decrease in the market, and their troubles will be aggravated.
 Exactly the same may be said of leather. There is vast stock of lea ther fin the dockside warehouses, and that is why boots and shoes are so dear.
 Chndren's boots are at a fabulous price. Men and women can hardly afford a weather-proof covering for their feet. Why is the leather which would enable them to be properly shod at a reasonable price being with held2 Both the cloth and the leather which Is in stock-in the hands of the Government-should be released at once; and ft'should be sold subject to a specified percentage of profit, being the legal maximum.
 The only solution of the high price problem is the fixing at profit max imum. This Is a sounder and more equitable policy than the adoption of a flat-rate maximum price, for it enables distinctions to be made be- tween the qualities of the commodi- ties
 Those who can afford to pay the price will have the articles of the best quality, and so the lower grades will be left for the poorer members of the community. It makes no diff ference to the sellers, for they will get their fixed percentage of profit ire spective of quality.
 only legislation which can be ra- pidIy carried through will be neces- sary to enable the courts to deal drastcally with those traders who make a profit in excess of the legal maximum or who sell fraudulently whether as regards weight or quanti- ty.
 Action-Or Serious Trouble.
 Turning to the all-important ques- ton of food we are confronted by an acute crisis. Unless something is done at once, there will be serious trouble in this country during the coming winter.
 Supplies will be very short and prices will be very high. and with another six shillings ton added to the price of coal even firing will be difficult to obtain. Without food without warmth, and i'll clad. the condition of the people, particularly the condition of the poor. will be patiable People will be starving with in and starved wtthout-men. women and children wfi be hungry and cold Assss uAsre we have all the factors oi pr1-uusr trouble.
 What is to be done? It is useless to cry aloud and say how terrible it all is. and how very wicked every body else is. Words will not fill the empty stomachs of the hungry: nor win they cover the threadhare backs of the cold. Action-immediate ac- tioD-not words, will alone avert dis aStsr.
 There are thousands of tons oi meat lying in the cold storage ware houses of Australia and New Zea- land waiting for ships. We can find the ships to bring over theses upplie. we must find them-and we mus despatch them at once. fin order tha'