CHRISTMAS IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 25678, 29 December 1945, Page 7

CHRISTMAS IN BRITAIN

QUIET DELEGATION BLACK MARKETEERS BUSY (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 28. Britain's " green " Christmas holiday period was mellowed with springlike, if pallid, sunshine. It was celebrated quietly, as was anticipated, with family reunions throughout the country being the happiest feature. Although it was reported that the people sent fewer presents than for a quarter of a century, nevertheless, last year's mail traffic was exceeded, while deliveries from overseas were exceptionally heavy. The black market was prevalent and it is estimated that £2,000,000 was paid for 4,000,009 pounds of Britishbred turkey, by far the greater part of which went to the black marketeers. Few of these home-grown birds found their, way into the shops. In some areas, however, the black marketeers were defeated by the public holding out from buying until the late hours of Christmas Eve. This applied not only to poultry, but also to toys and flowers. Thousands travelled by rail, but accommodation was not overtaxed, although at peak periods" there were huge queues, especially before the holidays. Football league matches drew record crowds both on Christmas and Boxing Days, totalling nearly 1,400,000, and there were big attendances at Boxing Day race meetings. -. BACK TO " CIVVY STREET." Demobilisation is gathering pace in Britain. By the end of November 1,102,000 had left, the forces, and the rate of releases is proceeding at 108,000 weekly. It is expected that the target figure for the end of this year of 1,500,000 will, therefore, be exceded. Not all those demobilised have jobs to return to and there are many cases reported of ex-servicemen seeking work in vain, though generally speaking this applies to the professions WAGE RATES CLIMBING. Ministry .of Labour records show that rates of wages have ben increasing in varying degrees in Britain for 12 consecutive years now, which is the longest phase of upward earnings since the beginning of the century. It is thought that the trend will continue until at least 1948, for the demand for workers will not be satisfied until then, although the increases may not be as great or cover as many people as during the war. Though it will be about two months before the official estimate of this year's wage rate trend is published, the Ministry of Labour forecasts that 1945 will be the sixth successive year _ in which wage rates in Britain have risen more than £1,000,000 a week. This does not mean that everyone's wages were raised. The records are likely to show that this year only one worker in four had an increase—or more than 4,000,000 workers. The average increase was 4s lOd a week. This is better than the last two war years, but not quite as good as in the first three. In 1940, the average increase was 5s 6d a week, shared by over 8,000,000 workers. TAXATION MAW. Cinemas and theatres were the most popular sources of relaxation in Britain during the war judging by their contribution to the national funds, which was more than five times as great as before the war. Greyhound coursing was the only sport which showed a comparable increase. Entertainment duty from cinemas and theatres advanced from £8,200,000 in 1938-39 to £45,900.000 in the year ended March 31. 1945.

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise report shows an increase in spirit dutv from £35,000,000 before the war to £63,000.000. Duty on beer increased from £65.000,000 to £287.000,000, on tobacco from £84,000.000 to £382,000,000. The teaching profession is attracting many men and women leaving the forces. It is estimated that 1,500 people a week are applying for emergencv training, and that, so far, .'IO.OOO have come forward. To deal with this, interviewing boards are being increased, and at least 40 new training colleges will be opened before the end of 1946. Continuing the trend to pre-war conditions, the Tower of London will open again as from New Year's Day. Though the Crown Jewels will not be on view, visitors will be able to see the armouries. VICTORY PARADE. Interest is already being shown in a victory parade which is to be held in London. The planning of the, parade is oroceeding, but so far no date has been indicated. One suggestion is that May S—V.E. Day—should be selected, but some think this would be too earlv, .and that London will be over-heavily taxed to provide accommodation for visitors. It is hoped, however, that bv midsummer conditions throughout the country will be greatlv improved compared with todav. a-nd'that Britain' by then will be once more almost fully in her working stride.