TOY INVASION

Evening Star, Issue 22524, 17 December 1936, Page 10

TOY INVASION

CITY SHOPS BESIEGED INGENIOUS GIFTS FDR THE YOVN6 Miniature replicas of modern mechanical marvels, ranjging from faithfullymodelled airships to submarines, gro. tesque figures that cleverly imitate the actions of their small admirers, ovefsize stockings containing an array of toys, books that express the fanciful thoughts of little children by story and illustration—all these are among the assortment that will find their way from shop shelf to bedside by Christmas Day. The troops of Santa Claus have not made a more colourful march on Dunedin toy shops since 1929. This Lilliputian army will be more easily routed this year than ever before. The coin ammunition that will sweep them from their strategic positions on shelves in city stores into parcels of all shapes and sizes is more readily available than before. Hence, by December 24, the invading army will have been scattered all over the city,, to the immense delight of its small captors. There are many new arrivals in this huge army. And, . happily, they, ara mostly British in origin, their printed passports, “ made in England,” giving them precedence in smartness and general demeanour over the Japanese, American, and German invaders of the shops. A wide range of types is represented in this cosmopolitan battalion. The advance guard was composed, of soldiers, which took up their positions at various strategic heights in tLe shops. They have hearts of machinery, and they can walk quite quickly, despite their heavy equipment of guns (that actually breathe flames when fired), the snub-nosed rifles that make a loud noise, and other military _ necessities. Every army marches on its stomach, and the stores of candy wrapped with gaudy paper will be commandeered by hundreds of girls and boys next week, when the streams of dolls from every part of the globe, troopships, aeroplanes, and railway engines are to be in full working trim. The aeroplanes are of interesting design, and their workmanship is excellent. They are able to make long flights with ease, and should be captured by the parents (the treat of inspecting the shops being denied ' children because of the outbreak of infantile paralysis). Thou there are steam-propelled pinnaces, launches, and battleships, trains that race madly round a circular track, and many fast motor cars. Sporting equipment, bicycles, and books should find eager owners among older children. Altogether this Ytdetide should gladden many a Dunedin home that lias been denied.these gifts_ because of tha earlier financial depression.