IN WARTIME ENGLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 6

IN WARTIME ENGLAND

EXPERIENCES OF DR. H. D. ROBERTSON STANDARDS OF LIVING COMPARED Description of England in tinfe o( war has been given by Dr. H. D. Robertson, of Wanganui, who, with Mrs. Robertson, is in London. Writing to the secretary of the Wanganui Rotary Club (Mr. S. il. McCallum) on October 26, Dr. Robertson says that he and Mrs. Robertson had a very pleasant trip for the first part of the journey to London from New Zealand, but some days before war was declared they had instructions to darken ship. ‘‘The life became a different story, the doctor wrote, because the tropical heat became intense with the closed portholes. I am unable to say where we went, as this is against the censorship regulations. Thanks to the excellent officers, we arrived complete some few days late, at a port many miic., away from our original destination. The last twenty-four hours on board were full of interest, and we have to thank the British Navy for the way it keeps the seas open, that out produce may reach the consumers in Britain. The Black-out. “We finally arrived in London tnwards nightfall and, after a meal at our hotel. 1 was mvited to exponentp the black-out. wl.ich was tne most complete wonder. Try to imagine what would hapen in Wanganui it all the .street lights were extinguished and cars hau only paintea out sidelights, with an area the size of a Iwu shilling piece cleaned off. The houses and shops aie completely black, and woe betide you if so much as a chink, of light shows. Several people have 'been gaoled for defying the A.R.F. precautions. "In spite of ihe general gloom everybody i.s cheerlul and helplul, so that it is fairly easy to get about and night life is bucking up. Each day new shows open on a staggered hours system, so patron.; can be moved by tne buses. For the moment many of il)e tube stations are being mauc safe, so this keeps many people above ground and causes congestion in of the areas. There seem to be no dearth ot picture shows, but new pictures are lew and far between. In general, we m New Zealand arc fairly up lo date with our movies. Sonic Local Price* "Here are a few local prices which may make you rather surprised, considering U-..L we are rather near ihe war: Potatoes, Id per lb.; cauliflower, 3d to ud (really good); lettuces, Id to 2d, buttei, Is id; margarine, 6d; petrol, Is 7id <ten gallons a month). Home killed meat seems to average out at about 7d to lud morthan tne best Imlay (Canterbury) lamb, and strange to relate, sausages cost 9d more than Sam Timbs’ best, and are not so good. These prices vary somewhat, according »o whero you live. In the suburbs prices appear to descend a little the further you go. "I ne recent Budget pushed up th* price of drink generally. Whisky and gin brings 14s 3d a bottle and beer i.s up id a pint. There was no sit-down strike here about ihe beer as was the case in your part of the world. C inscription Working Wei "Recent legislation concerning conscription here seems to be working out well,’’ Dr. Robertson continued m his letter. “Last week the 21 io 22 ages were cafled up with a minimum ot trouble. It is of interest to nole that most of the young men wish io join the R.A.F., or the Navy, with the poor ‘footsloggers' a bad third. This rather shows, I think, that all faith is pinned on these services for Ihe end o r Hitler. 1 have a few inside details which 1 am unable to give you, but our Air Force is really good and is Improving every day. 'l’he morale is ex cel lent, officers and men on the lop of the world, so that is the best news ot all! Was Waiting for a Joh. "I have put. my name down with ihe New Zealand authorities, but, so lai, there is nothing doing, so I wait. All the London hospitals have evacuated and the buildings have been converted into casualty clearing stations with a base hospital further out in the country. This is rather trying for the staff, who remain on duty, but. is a good scheme should an air raid ev®n-