THE CITY.

Northern Advocate, 17 June 1920, Page 1

THE CITY.

AND ITS DAILY ROUND

(Special to "Advocate.")

Sunday was indeed a day of lamentation, protestation, denunciation, and supplication in the city. The air was rent by orators of all brands and degrees of eloquence. The Salvation Army hurled warnings to those on speaking terms with sin and the devil. A man with a stretch of canvas covered with figures gave some disquieting dates from the Scriptures, Gentle, long-haired Israelites explained (to their own satisfaction, at any rate) how religions had become complicated and the necessity for an understanding (before Judgment Day. Near by the tmtore robust affairs of this world cjlaimed attention and the Labour M.P.'s for Auckland City held forth upon the merits and demerits of the Broken Hill strike, and appeals were made for money to relieve distress. In the evening half a dozen orators tackled the question of Alice Parkinson's release. Dog fights, argumentative groups, and tooting motors assisted in the proceedings. These were the outside manifestations of unrest. Inside the most important was the combined meeting of the engineers, iron and Ibrass-m'oulders and boilermakers in Trades. Hall to discuss the magistrate's decision regarding overtime disputes. Yes, it was a busy day, and the sinner and political backslider had a bad time of it.

The announcement that there has been a reduction in the price of tea has given fresh stimulus to the discussion upon the cost of living. A general consensus of opinion m that prices must fall, but so far there is not much actual comfort when the houeshold shopping has to be done Tea has dropped 6d per lb but the coal to Iboil the kettle with has jumped up to 7s per bag and hard to get at that. The succulent meat pie which usually forms the midday repast of the needy pressman has kept 'company with the coal and the old penny bun has been promoted to the rank of two for threepence. What is gained in one way is lost in another and there is much likelihood that the lower prices at.. Home will not be realised here. Recent cables from reliable British sources indicate that increased values may be expected over a big range of commodities principally in clothing.

Apropos of clothing it must be confessed that the women of the city at lteast do not appear to lack the wherewithal to bedeck themselves in gay and costly raiment. Some of them carry enough money to the square inch of their attire to set a man up in business. But then women's clothes always have been a mystery, both in price and the way they are worn. On cold, wet days, for instance they may be seen with their dresses open wide enough to freeze an ordinary man and on a sunny afternoon they put on fur cloaks and open-work stockings.

Taking into consideration the busy appearance of the waterfront and the number of large steamers from overseas which have visited us recently it seems hard to find an explanation for the shortage which exists in many lines of stocks. Merchants of all I kinds complain of the difficulty in i obtaining supplies. It is they declare useless to push the sale of articles we cannot get. An improvement is gradually being brought about but it will take some time yet before normal conditions again prevail. One of the latest shortages and a very inconvenient one too. is in kerosene. Supplies can only be secured in small quantities and in suburban areas not even one bottle can be procured. For those dependent upon oil! for lighting and heating purposes this is most annoying. The position of country people will be even worse.

* * * *T_ 1 ■The sale of the old Union Rank in Princes street (opened in 1843) suggests the opinion that it would ba a good thing if some other old buildings in the city were put under the hammer. Within a few yards of Queen street it is possible to find— in valuable business areas—tumbledown structures and alley-ways which contrast strangely with the busy and up-to-date appearance of the main thoroughfare. Splendid example is afforded of the necessity for a comprehensive Town Planning Bill. It is now too late to rectify many mistakes but it would be possible to prevent others being made.