British Topics PRICES HIGH, GOODS SCARCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23388, 20 December 1945, Page 4

British Topics PRICES HIGH, GOODS SCARCE

Austerity Christmas Problems For Shoppers • By Telegraph -N Z Press> Assn. -Copyright ! Rec. 7.30 p.m.' LONDON, Dec. 19. Britain s Christmas of 1915 will !»■ remembered as an “austerity” season. In this last week before the festivities begin a few of Londons shops exude traditional spirit and. while many people throng through them searching for presents to suit their pockets the average oi sales made is not high. The forewoman of one leading store frankly agreed with a customer that goods were scarce and prices exotic and, with the utmost friendliness, suggested that theatre tickets made a good present. It seems, though, that books | will be the mainstay and they certainly are a popular gift for children. For women one bright spot is that large quotas of cosmetics in attractive packings have been released. They include powder compacts, ' lipsticks in more colours than before and tinted bath salts. New powder puffs and artistic sponge bags, not seen since the early days of the war, are also available. Flowers are fantastically expensive. Carnations are selling for 6 6 each and .roses at 6 - each. Orchids range from 5 - to 30 - and chrysanthemums from 2/6 each. Prices, it is said, will increase during the week. Crime in the News Crime continues to hold the main place in the news in addition to political and international events. Shopbreaking has increased by 92 per cent, compared with 1933. Robberies and assaults are up by 41 per cent, over last year and 106 per cent over 1938. Car thefts have risen by 184 per cent, compared with 1944. but only 25 per cent, greater than 1938. Larcenies from dwelling houses are 48 per cent, higher than in 1944 and 155 per cent, higher than in 1938. The increase in petty larcenies is not so great—l 7 per cent, over 1944 and 61 per cent, over 1938. It is stated that deserters from the Forces are not the main cause of the present crime wave, though they have a considerable influence on it. The Increase in crime *bat always fellows ‘ war is regarded as not so much due to the individual soldier's training in the trade of violence as to general mise-y I and unsettlement, which provide

greater opportunities for anti-social behaviour. Night Life Booms Night life in London is booming again and was undoubtedly given a fillip by the appearances of Princess Elizabeth. The restaurant which she visited is now booked up for six weeks ahead. Many people are dining cut regularly as a change from th- dull wartime routine and they are culte content to pay high prices for food and drink which they would otherwise be unable to secure. Couples who go to the smarter hotels and restaurants accept the fact that the evening will cost at least £5. Incidentally band leaders who played at private dances for Princess Elizabeth say her favourite tune is “Night and Day." Other preferences include “Matelot th» Sailor.” “Love is my Only Reason.” “I’ll Gather Violets" “After a While" and “Let’s Fall in Love." Churchill Family The Churchill family was in the news recently. Mr Churchill is reported to be taking a long holiday in the New Year and will go to the United States. Mrs Sarah Churchill, who divorced the comedian. Vic Aliver. has returned to e stave. She anpeared in the light comedy. “Squaring the at Hewley-or.-Thames. She played the lead onobsite rhe author. ? 'r= Randolph Churchill was granted divorce. She as formerly the Hon. Pamplft Disby. • Production Rising Ern.’ir.s production figures are imprv.lnz Trade statistics for October shew the value of goods exported and re-expaned that month at nearly which is the highest since the beginning of 1943 and nractical’v the same as in October. 1938. Allowance has to be taken for the rise in prices, however. Britain is now exporting clothes by air and the trans-Atlantic service has started for the first time since the war. Goads are sent to Kilmarnock, where thev are picked up by a Liberator, which arrives at Montreal by the late afternoon on the same dav. Canadian internal air lines then distribute the orders to ouyers in their home towns. So manv firms are rushing to take advantage of the service that a second ferrv service will start in February Exports are on the move all round. The largest scale of consignments since the war ended is going to the Dominions, colonies. Middle East and North and Britain s coal output continues to in:r ■ slow?, and m November it was 2® tons better than ir. October. It < a- figures, howLes- : wa< 3M3.7;vs tons ’r. November. 1944. it was 3.743.900 tons. The Trades Ur: t. Congress is workir.g to secure a 4‘?-hcur week, but while general there is approval for a five- . ■ ,- k industrialists are reported to q.’ -. :ewinc -he proposal in reverse. It is te? the.’, ’lie cirnut will be the main test for its introduction Flock Tension Eased Fears that there might be a renewal of the dock strike have subsided now that the dockers have accepted 19- •: 25 - which they vrevi lem nded Hits has conside: bit - s .1 the '■ nsion that t a few weeks .igo. .nit d sanoointment some quarters th.a r the Govermnen: is not cc:”.c ’ ' give a lead on the wages policv s ■< • s,-?. • ’< •? thP’” s:: vto me?T ‘ J J*.: icu. ?h s rses ’.•r.:x > sed i s fees -v £278 ■ to f‘?34 Ruebv frem to D23L ’'.-'c.-U' to £l?\ to £135 Hones are field Thar important suoitins ever is will be televised nexr summer If The B C vlans succeed 'he boat race on March 30 and the Dorbv t Fpsom in the first week in June w-.l be first on the programme New Golf Rat! Tests have sh'wn that the new <vnthem koH biT. which • available ! comneTi'tons. compares favcurablv wnh he 1939-40 rubber-cored ball ’ is That ’o the average medium ' h?ndicnn golfer there is no distinguishable di Terence berween the ”eY- ball A I .boot'lo to V Td« Shcr-cr with the I w nd. bit about the same Ie”-_ h ■ ,«• :• when b’ ' inc a full drive, while with iron clubs there is nra-- ; tically no o' re::.a