CAKES AND—"TEA."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 14

CAKES AND—"TEA."

Sir, —When I first heard the less luxurious tea slogan irresistibly flashed into memory Falstaff's plaint, "What, because thou art virtuous, shall there be no more cakes and ale?" And I've really begun to think that tho results of the drastic reformation aro going to be far-reaching and even in some quarters, disastrous. I suppose no reform was ever effected without hurting somebody. A vision of quite a number of little shops, whose airy trifles of cake and pastry will remain unsold, rather appals me. So many women, untrained for any but home activities, havo found a pleasant and lucrative livelihood in ministering to tho banned "luxurious" teas. No compensation for them in dinner or supper trade. Teas were their standby and the new ordinance is going to hurt them badly. Besides, to ho really consistent, the larger luxuries should also be jettisoned, in which case "big business" would certainly suffer and by no means in silence. I quito fail to seo the logic of the position. The "man of tho house" teils mo that as long as trado booms communities prosper. But if tho housewife cuts raisins, currants, almonds, essences and all the dainty cake ingredients, tho grocer's turnover automatically decreases. Consequently the donations of our business firms to charity must decrease also, and the struggling home-made shops which go under will add a further quota to tho unemployed. fSo where is the benefit to the poor after nil ? Civilisation lias drawn humanity into a circle so closely knit that even trifles can react tragically. I suppose, to be really candid, afternoon tea, even denuded of its festive adjuncts, is not at all necessary, but as a stodgy interlude of scones, bread and butter and biscuits, it ceases to be even desirable. Possibly tho Spartan regime may bo of brief duration —in various interests I hope so, As a final protest 1 enter a plea for our girls, who lose a charming and profitable experience in baking-day at home—not necessarily as a rather expensive (on the State) educational frill. Personally I still have cakes and—"tea."

Madeline Parkes.