GOOD TIME IN MANCHESTER

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144851, 1 December 1915, Page 6

GOOD TIME IN MANCHESTER

A NORTH COUNTRY WELCOME. (By Private J. C. Mullins.) MANCHESTER, Sept. 23. It’s funny, the different types of people you meet in a comparatively small place like England, In New Zealand there is practically no difference between the men you meet in Auckland and the alleged "canny Scot” of Dunedin ; but In England, take Londoners, and then journey two hundred miles away and como across tho inhabitants of Manchester (tho second largest city), and you find the customs as divergent as tho Polos. In London people seem all for business, and no matter in what direction you turn you will find, like the "Yank," they are after the cash. Perhaps it is the cosmopolitan nature of London that makes the people what they are. Wo know that _the place abounds with rogues, and perhaps Cockneys, like visitors, aro a bit fastidious when it comes to meeting with a stranger. They do not appear to trust anyone, and perhaps in the long run you will find this a wise proceeding, but to we colonials, who are used to the ‘‘hail-fellow-well-met” stylo, it comes a bit strange. The continual "tipping” in London is practically unknown in Manchester, except in the different hotels, where it is said that the gaiters and porters pay quite respectably largo sums to occupy their positions, and depend on the tips to earn an extraordinarily good livelihood. In fact., it is said that the average "boots” lives in quite a select portion of the town and owns several rows of houses.

BRAVO, LANCASHIRE! Well, I have spent part ‘of my furlough in and around Manchester, and, like many other colonialSj I am quite in love with tho place and its people, and it is in Manchester that ono sees the true spirit of patriotism that wc know in the colonics Right at the commencement of the war volunteers were called for, and we know how libcraHy Manchester responded. The ‘'shirker” as seen in the streets of London is practically non-existent in Manchester, for this manufacturing town has provided over 100.000 troops to do duty for the good old flag. M e met them in Egypt for a start, and well we know the little favours that these Lancashire lads rendered us when wc were “new chums in the land of the Sphinx. Now they aro calling for 10,000 more men to fill the places of those who have fallen in battle, and they arc having a job to get thorn. And no wonder. Can the city stand tho strain of another 10,000 men being taken away from the works? It seems unfair to ask any mope from this quarter to enlist, , when there are apparently more available men in London to do tho work. . Colonials have beqn taking a prominent part in the recruiting meetings of late, ancf when any of the “Anzacs” get up on the platform they can be assured of a warm welcome. So I was not unpleasantly surprised the other day when I was approached hv a recruiting sergeant ana asked to assist in the appeal for recruits. But there was “nothing doing, and in my humble opinion Manchester should not be asked for a further effort.

A HOSPITABLE PEOPLE. Well, to get back to my subject. During my “hospital days” most of my time was spent in Manchester, and with all other “Anzacs” who have been here I have made very many friends, and am delighted with tho treatment received. Ono feels quite at home on meeting these people', and they have stood bv us as though we were born and bred here. For a start, the nurses wc have been under knpw their work well, and have spared no pains to get ns ready once again for tho firing-line. And speaking for New Zealanders, the work of our New Zealand War Contingent Association has been very fine. Laov Rutherford has been a great worker, and has done everything in her power for us, and Miss Enid H. Frank has earned the name of our mistering Angel.” Our men are most grateful to her. JUST LIKE HOME.

AVhat is more, these great little workers for us do not lose interest when a Now Zealand soldier leaves hospital, but right up to the time ho has finished bis furlough they do all in their power to make his stay in England a happy cnc. This is why so many New Zealand men may bo seen “doing” Manchester at the present time, being entertained at dinner at the Midland, a performance at the theatre, of being looked after in a way that only Manchester and colonial "people have of doing things. In fact, it is “just like being at home,” and even though wo go hack to the Dardanelles, we are never likely to forget the many friends we have made in Manch ester or the work of the New Zealand AVar Contingent Association here.

NOT FOR PELF. Tho other morning I howled on to the Central railway station with all my luggage, etc., and this was promptly taken charge of by an official. Of course I thought it was the same old London game, and got my “tip” ready, which I was to slip into the said official’s hand. But I got quite a surprise when 1 was told, “That’s all right, sir, we don’t take tips from men in khaki.” And so it is all over the town. The taxi-drivers do not take you down, and everyone is quite willing to show you all round the town. They invite yon to their houses, and you are expected to make yourself at home. Lately I have been staying with friends here,"and the daughter evidently considered it her duty to show me round and meet many very nice people. And everywhere colonials are greeted in the same “come-and-stay-as-long-as-you-like” style that is so characteristic of our own Now Zealand people. They arc interested in your.work, perhaps because they, have lost so many men themselves, and they give you the easiest chair near a very comfortable fire, and there you are expected to make yourself comfortable as long as you like. There, is no silly affectation about these Manchester folk, but just one whq'ehearted desire that you should enjoy yourself at their expense, and you may rest assured the colonials are having at least a good time in Manchester.