LONG WEEK-END

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 4

LONG WEEK-END

LACK OF ENJOYMENT

LORD BEVERIDGE’S VIEWS

COMMENT IN DUNEDIN

“Nobody in New Zealand does anything at the week-end, and because nobody does anything, nobody enjoys himself,” said the British economist, Lord Beveridge, in an address at the Canberra University College yesterday according to a Press Association message from Australia. Lord Beveridge said he had learned many vears ago that happiness could be enjoyed through activity. The reduced working hours in New Zealand had led to the rise of a new Puritanism, with two Sundays in each week. Mrs R. M. Gabriel, wife of the new professor of mathematics at the University of Otago, was inclined to disagree with the view of Lord Beveridge when it was referred to her for comment last night. Mrs Gabriel, who recently arrived in Dunedin from England, said that, as a housewife, she thoroughly enjoyed the long weekends. “I find that you can enjoy rest in New Zealand; you can enjoy the beautiful climate and the beautiful scenery,” Mrs Gabriel told the Daily Times. “As a housewife, I find five days of the week particularly busy, but when all the week-end provisions for the family are obtained, I do enjoy the two days’ rest. I am pleased to know that people who work in the shops can have a holiday at the weekend, too.” Mrs Gabriel explained that she liked books, liked listening to the radio, and liked to have the children running about the house at the week-ends—- “ provided they are good.” “ I am sorry to say that I lie in bed a little too long at the week-ends.” Mrs Gabriel added. “ If I were younger I would be up and about earlier, to listen to the birds, to enjoy the early morning air and to admire the world in the first light of the new day.” Welcome Opportunity The president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Mr J. A. Sim, of Dunedin, was attending a course in alpine instruction in the city when approached by the Daily Times last night. The course, he explained, would be followed by practical outings at the week-ends. “ Here are 40 members of the Otago section of the New Zealand Alpine Club definitely doing something to fit themselves for enjoying the outdoors at the week-ends,” he said. This activity was not confined to members of the Otago section, but to those of all sections from Auckland to Invercargill. “ The same applies to skiers and trampers throughout New Zealand.” Mr Sim added. “The long week-ends have given all of them the opportunity they did not have in the past to enjoy the* outdoors to the full.” Comparison With Continent A returned serviceman, whose comment was sought, said that he found New Zealand a dull place after his taste of Continental life at week-ends when he was overseas. He considered that there was no reason why picture theatres should not be open generally in New Zealand on Sundays and orchestral concerts provided as well. “ Some of the brightest entertainment of the week on the Continent is pro-vided-at the week-ends,” he said. “On Sundays, the cafes are open, as are the beer gardens and drinking saloons. You can even buy glasses of wine at the opera on Sundays. “ It is typical of New Zealand that smoking is not allowed in picture theatres,” he added. “ Servicemen overseas enjoyed smoking in the theatres and there were no outbreaks of fire." Dr D. D. Raphael, professor of philosophy at the University of Otago, said that, in his opinion, most New Zealanders took good advantage of the long week-ends. “They enjoy digging in their gardens, and they also enjoy going to the races, although I might not,” Dr Raphael said. There was, of course, the inconvenience of the shops being shut on Saturday and Sunday, and not infrequently on the Monday as well. The Tong week-end was an excellent thing, he said, but he would like to see less rigidity in its application to the shops. Occasionally, a little store was open for a time on a Saturday, and it would be better if there were more of them.