“Some European Capitals”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7300, 30 October 1933, Page 2

“Some European Capitals”

DR. W. M. SMITH, M.A., Ph.D., ADDRESSES WOMEN’S CLUUB

Ixias, spraxias and ranunculi in varying shades of crimson and scarlet, with matching table napkins, made an attractive note of colour in tho big room at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s on Friday afternoon, where members of the Manawatu Women’s Club enjoyed their monthly gathering. There was the usual large attendance and delightful entertainment was provided with tho added interest of a travel talk by Dr. W. M. Smith, M.A., Ph.D. Tho hostesses, who welcomed members on arrival and made the announcements, were Mrs M. Aitchison, Mrs G. G. Hancox and Mrs L. J. Forrest. Visitors welcomed included Mrs A. Hamilton (Wellington), Miss Thomtou (Wellington), Mrs P. Stevens, Mrs Tipling, Misses Beryl Bartlett and Ireno Forrest, all of Palmerston North. Miss Eileen Gooding’s pretty voice was heard to advantage in two numbers, “Here’s to Love,” from “The Sunshine Girl” (Paul Rubens), and “They Say” (Warwick Evans). Miss Ireno Forrest contributed two excellent elocutionary items, and Miss Joan Paton, a promising young ’cellist, made a happy choice in "Orientale” (Cui) and "Bouree” (Handel). The accompaniments wore played by Mrs G. G. Hancox and Mrs J. E. Paton. As a Traveller Sees It “Somo European Capitals” was tho caption under which Dr. Smith introduced his talk. Tko speaker, who was introduced by Mrs Hancox, said he was always humblo about his- travels, for he invariably found others who could cap his experiences with greater ones. One of tho difficulties which confronted travellers since the war was tho hampering passport system, but in Germany the difficulty was, at least until recently, less acuto than elsewhere. In France, on the contrary, elaborate precautions were taken to restrict tbe movements of aliens. The restrictions on travel were rather annoying, and tho authorities had a tendency to look askance on those who showed an inclination to take up residence in the country. Despite this, France was in reality one of the freest countries in the world —liberty was more complete even than in England. Political latitude in Franco would bo a surprise to many colonials. Ono of the great joys to a temporary resident in the foreign city was the sense of freedom which enveloped him. He was under no obligation, for instance, to take cognisance of tbe municipality or tbe civic restrictions which were imposed on the permanent populace. Ho was under less restraint. The first essential for a visitor was that he should' make contacts, and somo of the best avenues were a study of tbe national Press, friendship with tie foreign journalists in tbe city, and if possible tho membership of the univorsity.

Grubby But Beautiful The first impression a visitor gleaned of Paris was that it was a bit grubby and greasy—the ravages of the smoko menace were most patent. Thoso first impressions were, however, somewhat superficial, and similarly the air imparted by the ‘‘young bloods," with their flashy dress and manners, was misleading and not typical of the city. Speaking of transport in Paris, Dr. Smith emphasised the importance of the underground railway, a most essential vein in the life-stream of the city. Although cheap, however, the underground was somewhat lethargic, and by no means as fast as thoso in London. Nor were the buses and trams a very rapid means of transport; thoy left ample Toom for improvement. The river transport service was. most extensive and quite economical. The suburban railways, however, were atrocious and obsoleto. The electric system had thrown out only two feelers beyond the precincts of the. city. One of the glories of Paris was the State theatres. In particular tue Grand Opera House— seating over 2000 people —was a most democratic place, and the performances, although somewhat inferior to the best German ones, were on a high level. Comedy was also well catered for, and the Opera Houses generally were financially within the Teach of all. Programmes embraced everything from the 17th century drama to tho modem. Shops hi Paris were somewhat tawdy and disappointing, and the French, although definitely artistic, were somewhat “gimerack” in their tastes. Education in Paris was well provided for, and an outstanding institution was the Bibliotheque Nationale, whic-h housed four million books and was the third greatest iu the world. Of the . sights of Pans, one of the most satisfying was tho cathedral—Notro Dame . do Paris. There were many other buildings which made a ready appeal to the fleeting visitor, and a famous shrine of pilgrimage was tho tomb of Napoleon. In the south of Paris were tho famous catacombs, where were stored tho mortal remains of thousands of notables which had been disinterred from, the old-time cemeteries of the national capital. At Saint Germain was a terrace with a. majestic outlook towards tho city, and the Palace at Versailles was similarly an object of wonderment.

Vastnoss of Berlin Berlin by contrast was a clean city, spacious and open, said Dr. Smith. Tho transport system revealed much in common with that of Paris; the railways were not merely underground, they obtruded to the surface and even Tan overhead. Tho stations were very well appointed, and made a ready appeal to tho visitor. The telephone system was rather bewildering, but unliko Paris, tho diction of tho female operators revealed great clarity. Despite the fact that many of the buildings had outlived their period and were ugly and ,cU3,5.01 dant, |u .the modern sye* hhera

were many arresting specimens of up-to-date architecture. Workmen’s flats were erected not in streets, but in almost rural park-like surroundings. Theatres in Berlin were fully the equal of those in Paris, and the Stato Opera House was ono of tho best places in Europe for seeing opera. Play production was on a scale almost unbelievable to many visitors, and the Germans threw themselves into tho work with fine enthusiasm. The shops in Berlin were magnificent, and tho city boasted practically tho largest departmental store in the world. Berlin’s libraries were less extensive than those of Paris. Giving a glimpse of London, the speaker said the chief feature about it was its extensiveness. It had been computed that ono could spend a weekend in London in a different place for a whole ten years, and then miss places. London had many peculiar traffic problems owing to defective layout, but the city nevertheless had a character all Its own, concluded Dr Smith. The vote of thanks to the speaker and to tho performers was moved by Mrs Forrest. Opportunity was taken by the president (Mrs Mansford) to return thanks to the members for their generous contributions of books end magazines for Porirua mental hospital, and convey an appreciation from Mrs Peter Fraser” of Wellington, for this kindly thought. It was explained that Mrs Fraser mothered the patients in tho mental hospital, and had said how much the inmates had appreciated the fine hamper sent from the club a short time ago. There were apologies from Mesdames W. H. de Luen, 0. S. Tyerman, C. H. Schwass, H. Sinclair, M. H. Wilson and Tapp.