BRITONS IN GERMAN EYES

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 October 1931, Page 10

BRITONS IN GERMAN EYES

THEIR GREY FLANNEL “BAGS” London is the most moral capital in the whole world. The Englishman, in any and every circumstance of life spends a sovereign with as little or as much heartache as the German spends five marks (ss). There is more money in England than in Germany, and the standard of living is a trifle higher, but if we Germans had the Englishman’s money we should live twice as well as he does. These are some of the opinions expressed by Dr. Karl Silex, a well-known German journalist who has lived in London for six years, in an interesting hook published called “John Bull at Home.” Discussing what he calls “provincialism in the metropolis,” this observer says that the regulation of traffic in London is based on methods dating from the time of the handsom cab, and that congestion is partly due to our domestic habits.

“English household economy, for instance, is not concerned with storing provisions. No one dreams of buying potatoes in large quantities, and coals are hardly ever stored for more than a fortnight. The preparation for a simple lunch sets five delivery vans in motion, all of which deliver the needs for the day in minute quantities.” On the subject of men’s clothes the author has words 'of deep wisdom. He has perceived a phenomenon of contemporary English life which has gone uncelebrated for too long—our grey flannel “bags.” We may look at our best, he says, in full evening dress and other ceremonial creations of English fashions for men, but we only feel really happy and comfortable in grey flannel trousers! Hear him on the “national garb of the Englishman”: — “They are worn by millions, from the Prime Minister to the working man, generally in summer, but also in winter. They hang round a.man’s legs like sack, and may even be a little grubby. The older they are the better Thev are the national garb.” About our “lost” spirit of adventure, this appreciative critic is very sad and very ingenious. A variety of reasons have been advanced lately, but who would have suspected that the hire-purchase system is the true menace to our dountry’s powers of expansion ? “As a result of the instalment system of payment, by means of which he can acquire a little car and his furniture, the young man is obliged to remain chained to tone spot Thus one of the main props of the British Empire, the spirit of adventure, is undermilled.”