HOMELAND CUSTOMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 June 1924, Page 7

HOMELAND CUSTOMS.

NEW ZEALAND DRIFTING AWAY. Tile Auckland St; u- remarks; in the various sphexes of hie in New Zealand we are said to he drilling away from the customs existing in "the Motherland. We do not perhaps notice the change, hut people from Liie Old Country are quick to observe and comment upon them, it will he recalled that a Scotsman recently held up his hands in holy horror .when he discovered- that the guests at a public "banquet given in connection with the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, held in Auckland, began their repast without grace being asked, hie had attended numerous functions in Scotland, and had never previously been at one where there had been this omission. This unfortunate man seems fated to have his susceptibilities hurt, for he reports another shock which lie sustained at a dinner given on Friday evening by the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association to the delegates from the southern ,Industrial Associations. There was no grace, hut this was accepted as a ma’tter of course. What did astound the Scot- wa H that immediately after the repast was over, and before the health of the King had been toasted, hall'-a-do/.cn of the most prominent citizens of Auckland were smoking cigarettes. .Most people know that in Britain this is considered a grave breach of etiquette, and that no one should “light up : ’ until after the toast of “The King." when the chairman gives permission in these words. “Gentlemen, you may smoked- Sevorai members oi the Parliamentary Labour Party were present at the fun'etion. bill the Scot says he specially noted that none of them began smoking until the toast had been honoured.