ENGLAND TO-DAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1939, Page 5

ENGLAND TO-DAY

GREY VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS “There was not a great, difference, — at least till the end of October, when we left,—in England, between wartime and peace days,” said Mr A. Kibble, editor of the “Greymouth Evening Star,” who returned on Saturday from a visit to England. “The ‘black-out’ made initial! difficulties and inconveniences, to those who had to use the streets at night-time, and it was strange to see in many thoroughfares notices such as ‘To th? trenches,’ ‘Nearest public shelters, ‘Casualty station.’ Sandbagged premises abounded, particularly in the City of London, and air-raid shelters were everywhere, but as no eneiny attack occurred, all these war-like preparations were hut precautionary. Business went on as usual, and it was difficult to realise' that a gregt war was being waged. The ‘balloon barrage’ over London was a further reminder that times were not normal, but these and similar pleasures aroused more curiosity than alarm. There were many men and. women in unifbifmj but little public display of interest in these, and, generally, it was an instance of what might occur than actual happenings. “The Homeland people are practically unanimous about the necessity of stopping German aggression, and are quietly confident of the issue. There is no flag-waving, no demonstrations, or similar displays of excitement. The whole war is regarded as a necessary evil which must be dealt with' once and for all. Evacuation of many London firms’ headquarters to country districts has broken up families and homes, and this is perhaps the worst penalty of the war, so far. Many clerks, travellers, and nonmanual workers lost their employment; and some industries were hard hit Steps were taken to relieve those in serious trouble through the war’s effect on employment. “Veterans of the 1914-18 struggle agreed that the young men of to-day were as good n not better than 'their predecessors, and everybody was- impressed by the thoroughness of the Governments organisation. There is to be no ‘muddling through,’ this time. Mistakes will be made, and' instances of financial extravagance are in evidence, but considering the magnitude of the task, the administration has won general confidence. There is no question of who will win the warThe only doubt is how soon will victory be achieved. Prophets abound, ’but on the whole the general public seemed to be optimistic that Germany would be vanquished sooner than the three years mentioned by the Government,' especially if present neutrals kept out of the conflict.”

COST OF LIVING. “I had not been in England for 30 years,”' said Mr. Kibble, “and was, of course, interested in the changes brought by time. Great impioyements had been achieved, both m people and places. London had extended outrageously and the war may serve one useful purpose by checking this growth. The huge transport is efficiently handled, and the travel facilities are very _ comprehensive. The trains are speedier than in New Zealand, but. otherwise the Dominion need not fear comparison. It anything, apart from the day excursions, fares are relatively lower in New Zealand. Indeed where prices are concerned, it was surprising to find that London offered little advantage to the New Zealand purchaser, if the fact were taken into consideration that each £1 sterling cost 25/- N.Z. rponey. There was, of course, a greater -selection in London, and prices had a wider range. But apart from a few commodities, such as footwear, J’ a ‘ dios, and cars, -there was little that the New Zealand visitor could not have obtained at a similar price _ in his own country. The cost of living, generally, and rents, were also about the same as in the Dominion, and as English, wages, although improving, are not so high as in New Zealand, it is fair to claim that the New Zealand worker is happier placed than his English colleagues. The conditions and hours of work are all in the Overseas’ favour. Incidentally, there are many- beggars in London, and it is surprising the latitude these are allowed. - Another surprise was the prevalence of Cockney dialect, despite better education. The reputation of the Londoners for humour and politeness is well-founded.” CLOTHES AND THE WOMAN “London as a retail shopping centre, is now regarded as the best in the world. Paris is not in the same class, nowadays.' My wife was of the opinion that the average English woman was not so smartly dressed as the average New Zealand woman. ‘Slacks’ are very popular, in and outside the home. ‘Shorts,’ too, abound in old and young, comfort rather than charm appearing to be the aim. In many instances, the far too solid flesh displayed would melt few masculine hearts. The traditional English complexion was much less in evidence than in my younger days, the chemist more than Nature being relied on for the touch of colour. The ‘bright young things’ are more or less obsolete, and prejudice of the oldfashioned apart, there seemed no doubt that to-day’s English girl is in many ways, an improvement oil her predecessors. Less shy and retiring, perhaps, but more efficient in every way. But one must not dwell on this attractive subject. “The English countryside is as wondrously beautiful as ever, and there is really nothing in any other land to equal it. The English climate

is as uncertain as ever. Last Summer was cool but dry, ideal for the holiday-maker eager to be on the move. The English roads, too, have no superiors, even rural by-ways being all the motorists could desire. Coaches and buses serve every district and there is little rural isolation, these days. Some of the villages are less picturesque than formerly. but ever so much more comfortable to live in. Villagers are more sophisticated, and travel about more. The farmers grumble as much as did their forefathers and are ‘ruined’ as frequently, but. really. are much better off. In town and country, England has advanced con-

siderably during the past 30 years, and it is easily understandable why there is little desire to migrate overseas. The old-time big family halls and estates are gradually disappearing, hut. sentiment, apart, the development is to the national benefit.”

NEW ZEALAND POPULAR. “New Zealand is ‘popular’ among English people, if little real knowledge or interest is displayed. The Dominion’s social legislation, especially the generous pensions available, arouses

envy. It is a scandal that wealthy Britain should allow but 10/- weekly to old a.ge pensioners, payable when aged 70. Contributors to the national insurance fund obtain higher pensions when 65, but there is, scope for more liberal allowances. The war has delayed reform in this direction. New Zealand lamb is welcomed in many households, even by those who could afford to buy the higher-priced English meat. In the south of England, New Zealand butter was less popular than, say, Danish or Australian. Before the war, New Zealand butter was sold at 1/3 per lb., and New Zealand meat was better and cheaper than in the Dominion itself. There appeared to be a general wish to purchase Empire produce, price and quality more than sentiment being responsible for this ‘patronage.’ IN SPORTING CIRCLE.?

“In sport; England appeared to be on the up-grade after some lean years. Generally, the English racing tracks and appointments compare unfavourably with those Overseas, Epsom and Newmarket, for instance, being outclassed by Riccarton or Ellerslie. I saw the Test match at Lords, between England and the West Indies. A.part from fielding, in which the visitors were pre-eminent, the West Indies were not in the picture, Headley being the only batsman comparable with England’s best. Hutton scored a workmanlike century and he is another Sutcliffe. E.drich, too, is another great player, but the crowd’s idol is D. Compton, who bats with all the care-free confidence of. the old-time English amateur cracks. A Rugby match at Twickenham —a wonderful ground—between Gloucester and the Harlequins, did not produce so good a game as an average New Zealand in-ter-provincial match. However, it was an end-of-the-season game. Britain, of course, is Soccer-mad, but the war has upset all normal arrangements. Budget taxation and war restrictions on petrol-use have made cars very cheap, quite good second hand cars being on sale from £5 upwards. “When the war broke was a general desire among Overseas visitors to return to their respective countries, hut this was no easy matter. Few ships were available, and many hooked passages were cancelled. ' Long waiting lists were compiled at all the principal shipping offices, and postponements of sailings were frequent. Passports had to be examined and re-approved, and for some weeks, long queues were formed outside the Passport Office, to obtain the necessary permission to embark. 1 had to wait two hours the first time, and another hour on a later occasion. There was relief when, at last, we boarded the ship for home. None of the passengers knew which route would be taken, nor when their home ports would be reached. The black-out on the ship, and the circumstances generally, deprived the voyage of some of the normal pleasures, but, on the whole, there was little cause for regret, and no sign of nervousness, although the possibilities were never quite out of mind. Nothing untoward happened on our voyage home,, but one was relieved to land again in the Dominion.”