AFTERNOON TEAS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1930, Page 3

AFTERNOON TEAS

PLEA FOR SIMPLICITY (Special to “Star.") AUCKLAND, March 14. That social entertainment in general is' becoming far too elaborate and costly, is the opinion expressed by the President of the Plunket Society (Mrs. W. H. Parkes), on behalf of Mrs. St. Clair Brown, ■ at a. bridge afternoon held at Ellerslie in aid of the Plunket funds. Several ladies present initiated a list of hostesses wild agreed to provide simpler afternoon teas, and to send 5/- per week instead, to some central fund for needy cases. This suggestion of Mrs. Brown is that, contrary to the prevailing fashion, we return to more simple fare at s'ocial gatherings. “Many present,” she said, "will remember the*days when afternoon tea consisted of tea with bread and butter, scones and cakes, and no unfortunate after-results. Of late years, there has been evolved a veritable feast of good things, followed quite frequently by digestive disturbances and regrets that cream puffs and savouries had proved too attractive. “With so many appeals for the deserving poor,” said Mrs. Parkes, “does it seem right to waste so much money on luxurious fotod, which is quite unnecessary? Surely the amount of pleasure gained from a gathering of our friends does not depend upon the large variety and cost of the food supplied.” The speaker also observed that modern teas created difficulties for hostesses not so comfortably situated financially, as others able to afford big spreads.