ECONOMY AND CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23685, 17 December 1938, Page 24

ECONOMY AND CRISIS

Everywhere, one hears, the crisis food-hoarders have been trying to return to the shops provisions purchased, presumably, so that they might be better off than their neighbours if rationing ever started. They may be less fortunate (says the Manchester Guardian than Lady Beaconsfield, the rich eccentric widow Disraeli married as a comparatively young man. The rising of Parliament allowed Beaconsfield, then Prime Minister, to go tc Hughenden, his country seat. Lady Beaconsfield had the house provisioned from the local shops. But two days after their arrival unexpected political events forced the Premier—for allthe world like the present one—to leave his country home. The servants were sent back, the house again closed. But those were more leisurely days, and -, the statesman had time for a, drive with his wife before leaving. Lady Beaconsfield had found her recent purchases "surplus to requirement. The obvious solution was to take the food to London with her. but she saw a better way. She had the parcels, all of which had been opened, put in the carriage, drove into the village, made the shopkeepers from whom they were purchased reweigh them and take them back, debiting her only with what had been-used. According to an eye-witness. Lord Beaconsfield sat in the carriage, his arms folded, and his hat over his eyes, in silent communion while this economical transaction was going on. . What he and the shopkeepers thought of it is unknown tc history. ,