Porridge May Bring Success In Politics

Press, Volume C, Issue 29540, 15 June 1961, Page 10

Porridge May Bring Success In Politics

(Neu> Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 14. Breakfast habits of many Government and local civic leaders indicate that "porridge and politics” is the secret of success. Recent statements in the i press of porridge being "on ■ the way out” have obviously i under-estimated the power of ■ the oat in local and national t affairs. The Prime Minister (Mr ; Holyoake) is very fond of i porridge, according to his i wife. Although Mr Holy- • oake now takes it only occasionally in winter, rolled ' oats and brown sugar were ' a regular feature in the ’ Holyoake household when the family was young. ; The Mayor of Wellington (Mr F. J. Kitts) is also a keen porridge man. "He has i-t ‘neat’ without sugar,” says Mrs Kitts who diligently prepares it every morning. "I don’t mind the sticky pots at all, and he really loves it.” This sentiment is echoed by Mr P. Dowse, Lower Hutt Mayor and Mr P. H. Kinsman, Mayor of Upper Hutt. Both now, however, no longer indulge the old custom, and have turned instead to fruit. In Mr Dowse’s case it was genuine sacrifice to relinquish his daily gruel but he felt the cereal a little too

heavy at the beginning of the day. An abundance of fruit in his garden persuaded Mr Kinsman to the economical advantage of living off his land. As fits his position, the Deputy Director-General of Health (Dr. R. T. G. Lewis) says he eats porridge every day. Likewise the Minister of Health (Mr Shelton) who has porridge “whenever available.” On the other side of the fence is the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) who prefers a much lighter breakfast, mainly of liquids. Petone’s Mayor (Mrs J. Huggan) also never sees porridge from one year's end to the other. “I’m afraid we saw too much of it as children —I haven't touched it in years.” she says. S'rongest opposition came from Sir Sidney Holland. "He simply can't bear it and won't take it at any price.” says Lady Holland, “except in hospital and then he did not have any choice."