IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 159, 25 March 1918, Page 2

IN ENGLAND

AN INTERESTING LETTER, In the course of a very interesting letwr, which appeared in the Chrisir ohurcti 'Tress ,, and was written to a friend by a former resident of (Jhristcliurch, the writer, after describing the privations and ■ discomforts under wJiicii people are Jjvuig at liome, says;— "Social life is practically dead in —, although it is perhaps the wealthiest suburo of this city. One hcare absolutely no traffic at night, scarcely _a passer-by. It is the same if one 'goes to the shops, except for a short timCj when people are about chasing margarine, etc., everyone is as busy as possible. Housekeeping takes a lot of thought and time, and then there are the various working parties, Red Cross shops, canteons, etc. I only know one girl in ivho is not working hard, tho whole day long, and she is not n't. The daughter of one of our greatest friends is a book-keeper in tho tramways, another drives the delivery car for a wholesale grocery firm, and then the V.A.D. swallows up an enormous lot of people, either actually nursing or in artificial limb jobs. Private motorcars have to all intents and purposes disappeared. There is very little golf, and last summer thore- was practically no tennis. In fact, I sometimes think we have gone a bit too far, as we brood and get tho 'blues.' Every conversation gradually comes round to the war. The boys either go into the Army at 17$, or reac-h 18}, and then disappear a day or two afterwards—called up, but they take it all as the natural course of things; there is littlo talk about it. An instance of the inconvenience one has.to put up with happened to-day; my mother, who baa been epending Christmas with us, wants to go away in .three days' time, but I can't at present find a man who will undertako to drive her to the station— the small men get no petrol for their taxis in some cases, and in others the drivers have been called up. "The special day of prayer, January 7, was, if one may use the word, a great success. All chapels, churches, and cathedrals were thronged, many people having to stand. In Bristol, at a special united meeting-of Churen and Chapel in Ooleton Hall, it was filled with 5000 people; It is always difficult to judge current feeliug, but the impression that I've had recently is, that despite sporadic discontent, there is a hardening of tho nation in tho last few weeks; they nre not going to be 'done by the damned Hun. , Ifilra propaganda is beginning to have an effect. The working classes won't read, but thoy will go to pictures, and a young charwoman we have who goes, tells us that people shake their fists and are raised to fury by the pictures. Wilson's idealism is all very well, and that of tho intellectuals here, but I am morally confident that 90 per cent, of the present generation will never have anything to do with, a German again.

"Lloyd George's speech has gone down wonderfully well with all shades of opinion. The 'Daily Nows' praised it, and so did tho 'Morning Post.' The Labour man of the Hainsay Maedonald typo eulogised it, and so did the strong Tory. He said little about tho colonies, and a criticism of the Chi'istehurch 'Press , has been quoted in one or two papers, but 1 think Lloyd had to skate over thin ico. The colonies won't go back to Germany, and the wishes of the Dominion will be respected, but he wanted to get tho whole country behind him. Once wo havo beaten the Bun, then we will do as we like about the colonies.

"The only thing that really worries us is the submarino, and it will until we know we arc building faster than they sink. I cannot understand why wo don't net the wholo of the exits to the North Sea, but it is no use grousing at the Admiralty; they are as keen on beating them as we are. lam inclined to trust Gcdcles; he is -a strong man, with open views, hot a politician.

"I sometimes wonder whether the Dominion folk realiso how we are being hit in the'matter of taxation; not only is living dear, but taxes arc very heavy."

Mrs. and Miss Didsbury have returned to Wellington from a visit to Feathcrston.

On 'Saturday afternoon Mrs. Massev and her helpers iyero able to distmtoh seventeen cases by tho Main Trunk express for the sufferers from the recent fire, and they anticipate sending more ttnlav. Blankets, bedding, and children's clothing are still very acceptable, tho demand not vet being satisfied.

Don't; you think that it ifi high time that all ladies who hare not yet tried Hint wonderful preparation, "Sydal" (Wilton's Hand Emollient) should do so without delay? What is the uso of our constant lolling yoti how good it is if you won't try it. !!s., everywhere.—Advt.

The beat void weather Garment for Bora is tho Woollon Jersey, all shades, jpolo collar, or. shoulder fastening, 31 6d. to 10s. 6d., at Goo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.-Advt.