"GHOULISH IDEA."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 113, 14 May 1937, Page 13

"GHOULISH IDEA."

HOLIDAYS CHOSEN. SELECTION* FOR BURIALS.

SYDNEY, May 3. "People pick holidays for burials so that all their friends and relations can come without losing a day's pay," the Industrial Commissioner was told recently. The president, Mr. . Justice Browne, described that as a "ghoulish notion." He did not agree with it. nor did he agree with a statement that cemetery employees were "the aristocracy of the working class." "Holidays are our busiest days," said Mr. Farrar. for Rookwood and other cemetery trusts. Mr. Justice Browne: Well, don't you charge people more for burials on holidays? ( Mr. Farrar: Yes. but we alreadv have an outcry against the hi;:li cost of dying. You can say.to them. "You can have a big funeral on a holiday if you like, but it will «ost you more." —Sentiment enters largely into it.

Referring again to the incidence of burials on holidays. Mr. Justice Browne said he could not imagine anyone holding up a burial so that the funeral would be on Coronation Dav.

Mr. Justice Cantor: No, it will be a day of rejoicing.

"I suppose some people put off dying, too?" the President said to Mr. Farrar.

"People who have that sort of ghoulish notion about big funerals ought to be made to pay for it. and pay well." the President added. "We ought to diecourage them." Mr. Farrar: They arc usually the people who can least afford it. The people who have the money hold the funeral as soon as possible and do not worrv about a lot of fuss.