SASSIETY SPICE

NZ Truth, Issue 534, 11 September 1915, Page 2

SASSIETY SPICE

-BY

When are we to have some legislation which will control the present high and still rising cost of living? In this city rents are being raised by Is to 2/6 per week. The increase m Council rates and the proposed war taxation is said to be the reason given. How truly patriotic! "Dot" is grieved to hear that one of the very first property owners to act m such a way, is a woman, who raised all her rents 1/- per, week. She was closely followed by a man, who went one .better, and clapped on 2/6 per week to his unfortunate tenants, several of whom cannot pay this extra screw without facing positive starvation. Talk about "Prussian Huns!" We've got 'em right here m our midst.

"Dot" heard one of the finest and most manly speeches yet delivered m Parliament when Talbot, M.P., was doing his bit on the Budget. "Dot" eagerly grasped one precious bit of information. It was this: When wheat was S/- a bushel, flour was produced and sold at Id (one penny) per lb, or 4d the 41b loaf.' Now, flour costs l%d per lb, or 5%d for the 41b loaf. When flour was Id per lb we were paying 7d and Sd per 41b- loaf— that is 3%d and 4d for the 21b loaf. Latterly we m New Zealand have to pay 5d and 6d for the 21b loaf, or lOd and 1/- for the 41b loaf! The difference between the cost of tho 21b loaf when wheat was 5/- a bushel and flour Id per lb, was 4d— 2d — 2d, which gives us 100 per cent, increase from the time the 21b of flour at Id per lb, passes through the baker's hands and reaches the consumer. One hundred per cent! This makes us women think hard and long, and "Dot" is grateful to Talbot, M.P., for dealing m hard bed-rock facts, and using his practical knowledge to enlighten our darkness on many matters. One result of his speech will be "Dot's" active championship of the dire need of a State bakery, where the flour will be bought direct from the farmers, who will have to mill their own wheat. Remember we have the vote, the brains, the desire and now we have Talbot, MP.'s information, we're going to get State bakeries. Watch next election results! If there's a high percentage, say 70 per cent net profit m bread, and the State reaped that bene"flt, we should .not need so much taxation.

I Strenuous opposition is being made ! by some parents to their sons marrying before going forth to defend our Empire. They are afraid of being burdened with a child and wife if their son should unfortunately be killed m action. N,ovr, "Dot" cannot understand such conduct on the part of mothers at any rate. • There's many a heartbroken mother would give much at the present moment, if she could only hold m her arms, a child of her brave son, who has laid down his life for his country. ' , The State has made provision for such cases and there would be no great burden placed upon parents who should be anxious t° possess offsprings, from their brave sons. The Germans, who are very much alive to the necessity for perpetuating the best and bravest men, readily grant leave for soldiers to go home and marry. In fact after the FrancoPrussian war the Prussians selected their soldiers who possessed the best physique, and allowed them concubines as well as a wife, m order to produce offspring for the upkeep of their great army. The result is to be seen m the splendid men from a eugenic point of view of tho leading Prussian regiments. Of course "Dot" is not advocating concubinage, but sho is very strongly of opinion that parents and authorities should encourage every soldier to marry before going to the front, . hoping that a brave son of a brave father may come to enrich the State, to safeguard its future and to comfort the outlines bereaved and lonely parents 4 The pick of our men are going forth, and soon, very soon, only old men and rejects will be left us to carry on the race. Also, Why should not our women ■ have the chance to marry, provided they are willing to take the consequences and shoulder a probable responsibility? "Dot" goes further and declares it refined cruelty Instead of kindness for an engaged man to leave these shores before he marries his fiancee. Otherwise her life is a blank for the future, there will be small chance of her ever marrying, or having a desire to marry. In conclusion, I quote some remarks of the Countess of Warwick on this vital subject. "Unfortunately," she says. "The majority of those at the front are unmarried. It was considered sufficient to find them physically sound, to vaccinate and inoculate them and then to send them to take their chance. The question of the years to como was never considered. There Is no department of War Oflice or Admiralty that considers eugenics. I have looked m vain to the speeches of statesmen for a single recommendation to our defenders to marry and leavo behind them somo pledge of their affection, some asset for the real national treasury that does not consist of gold, as Is popularly supposed, but of vigorous men and women as anxious to live for their country as thoy are willing to dlo for it. To be sure every wife would have cost the country tltfee pounds a month for tho term of tho war, and this thought 'may have given our prudent legislators pause: but I venture to suggest that a wife as a national asset Is cheap, even at that price."

Hurrah! kerosene is to receive some more kindly consideration when the War Taxing Rill comes before a committee of the House of Parliament. Tho voices of women hoard over the land, and as they are armed with a vote — the women, not the voices — tho Govern, ment, lt Is whispered, are "lending, both e:tra" to the hundreds of objections showered upon them, m connection with the proposal to put a tax of Id per gallon on kerosene and motor spirit. [Sir Joseph states that tho duty will not be reduced. Does "Dot" know more than Sir joe ?— ■ Ed. T.j

One .smart woman went round some retail stores a day or so after the tax was imposed and upon asking the price at each store of a single tin, was aaUed ■1/9. 5/9 and G/-! This had paid no duty remember, and yet the Merchants Ring, who Htted up our transports, etc., wired the retailers that they must charge <5/- per tin. .Must, mind you! Who says there are no' combine* or rings!

The Soldiers' Club Is being well patronised these times and the "Boy Sprouts." as the soldiers call them, are always at the Railway Station** and about the streets extending invitatlonn to the "Tommies" to come along to their own club. The band of women who have taken this matter In hand are doing real good work. Some of them are not able to help ia other ways and so even up things. It iieem < rather a pity, though, that the room i_t not open all day, because some mea are on leave m the day time and have wandered up to the club to tlnd the door closed. They Just want to rest

"LADY DOT"

When the 7th Reinforcements left Papawai — where they had been shooting for some days — on their. return to Tauherenikau, the transport ' service got Into trouble with their horses. Instead of being ahead with the baggage and bedding, they were left behind. Hurrying to overtake the troops, the horses got knocked up and when about 1% miles from camp all the baggage, etc., had to. be emptied out. Each soldier was ordered to pick up a swag and carry it m, regardless of whose'swag it might be. As the hour was late and the night dark, some of the :' men "shirked" and marched m without any "encumbrance." Their staunch mates had the laugh on them when these shirkers had to travel all the wayback, and return with sometimes two swags. Then the "fun" began. The swags were piled m a heap and each man had to search for his own kit by the aid of lighted matches. It took quite two hours for this to be done, and the language used was too hot for publication. However, next day all had revered their tempers and , barracked those who "shirked" and got paid out for their shirking.

Many pretty — though sombre — spring frocks have appeared on the pavement promenade. A Newtown lady appeared m a well cut tailored suit of pale violet cloth and a plain "Chinkie" shaped hat of the same shade. : She looked Just "yum yum." A slight dark lady appeared m a very pretty mitraille silk foulard made m the very latest style. A pretty vest and cuffs of the new pompadour corded velvet made a very stylish finish. The hat was a large flat one worn with a plain band of crimson. ' At the Newtown Park on Saturday a perfect vision appeared and drew all eyes. She was a tall fair lady, with pretty auburn hair. She wore a full black silk skirt, with one of the new cut-away bolero's of embossed black velvet She wore a cunning black "pork pie" hat. Above all she wore very good boots, which displayed a shapely ankle. Didn't the Johnnies stare! It was whispered that she dispensed smiles and refreshers at a certain establishment m this city. At the same gathering a very bonny girl wore a plain grey skirt and a short silken jersey and knitted cap of the same. She was the most becomingly and prettily dressed of the whole crowd. Her whole outfit could be purchased for £2 and looked better than many costing four times as much.

A certain public servant is a great "fancier." He fancies plants and bulbs m his neighbor's gardens. Tho worst of it is, he takes what he fancies and fancies they are his own property. Perhaps "Dot's" - informant fancies all this. In the spring fancies run m all directions.

The "Assault-at-Arms," held m the Nowtown Park on Saturday afternoon, was a most successful affair. The day was fine, and everyone enjoyed the outing. The Soldiers' Fund should benefit considerably. The sham fight was, if anything, too realistic; and tried the fortitude of those who have lost relations at the front. It was all too easy to picture the son, brother or sweetheart lying as those soldiers so well simulated, wounded, or dead. , The pretty and sweet picture of the Red Cross nurses, hastening to the rescue, was indeed a sweet balm to the sore m heart. The massed bayonet drill of the College Cadets reflected much credit upon their teacher, Captain McLaglen. They have only been at work about six weeks and the intricacy of bayonet drill must be great. The sham fight and bayonet drill wero the only two items to appeal to women. In between we criticised each other's dress. The "sheep cutting act" only made us regret tho waste of eight whole sheep when hundreds m this city have not eaten meat for weeks; and many more have no bed to lie on. * * * Heard m a certain fashion emporium. "Lidy," at ribbon counter, to another behind the counter: "Who was that girl at the dance last night?" "Has she any position?" "What does her father do?" The fun started when the much discussed girl's ma, who happened to be near, took a hand. "The girl's father, whose name you aro so busy with, helps to pay your father's wages, is a thoroughly respectable man, and his daughter follows m his footsteps," Several customers who heard all this looked extremely amused.

Alcook's have arranged a match with McConachy and Owen. This ought to be good, and the bright young professional will have to go some to catch tho veteran amateur, who has 500 m a thousand start. The Trentham Camp Is having a new big saloon started. Twelve Alcock tables are going m during the next few weeks.