A LONDON ANOMALY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 765, 24 July 1916, Page 4

A LONDON ANOMALY.

One of the anomalies in London resulting from the desire to economise is that the expensive restaurants in the West End of London are now enjoying an even greater share of prosperity than in the peaceful days of luxurious spending; and on the other hand the middle class restaurants in the city which cater for business men anil people of moderate means find their customers driven away by the conditions brought about by the war. The connection between economy and the reduction in the patrons of city restaurants is a simple one. Owing to the continuous increase in the cost of living, and the increased prices at all restaurants from the highest to the lowest, many family, men employed in the city who were formerly able to afford a meal at an inexpensive restaurant have now to content themselves with a meagre meal at a tea shop. And many of the clerks and typists who formerly patronised the tea shops for their lunch have been driven away by the rise in prices, and now bring sandwiches from home and eat them at the office. But the connection between economy ami a rush of patrons to the West End restaurants, where, there are often dozens of people in the lounges "waiting for tables," is also capable of a simple explanation. The army has taken so many men from their homes that it has affected family life in all circles. In well-to-do circles it has extended the habit of dining at restaurants. It is cheaper for well-to-do people to dine at an expensive restaurant than to have meals served at home, where in ordinary circumstances there would be half a dozen servants to keep. The demand for female labour in munition works and other well-paid avenues of employment has greatly diminished the supply of servants, which even in times of peace was not equal to the demand. So well-to-do j people who desire to economise have I given up their houses ami gone into Hats, and they overcome the servant difficulty I by dining at restaurants.