POST-WAR LONDON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 150, 20 March 1919, Page 6

POST-WAR LONDON

HIGH PRICES AND MUCH DISCOMFORT.

Mr. Fred. W. llaybittle, of the firm of George i'homa9 and Co., and wall known in the bowling world of Now Zealand, who has been in England and France for over live years past, was a passenger by the White Star liner Athenie, which arrived in the stream yesterday morning. When war broke out in 1914 Mr. Haybittle offered his car and personal services to tho military authorities, and for the groater period of tho war ho has been an active participant in tho campaign behind the lines. After referring to his experiences as a monitor of the mechanical transport staff of tho Red Cross Society as a motorist at various bases and up and down the front . lines,' Mr. H'aybittlo eventually, after tho signing of the armistice, spent six weeks in London before embarking on tho transport. ''London," states Mr. Haybiltlo, "is not tho placo for tho visitor or tho tourist unless spccial business necessitates a visit. The city is overcrowded. A largo number of tho great hotels, which were ' commandeered for war purposes, will not bo available for guests for many liioutlis, I and the cost of living is excessive to an ! alarming- extent. A pound sterling he-

fore the war has .now iv spending capacity of 9s. or 10s. only. Rationing and tho coupon system aro still carried on, and transport in bus, taxi, or tubo is & matter of extreme difficulty and discomfort. Hotel expenses have moved upwards at an amazing rato. An ordinary dpublo room per night, with breakfast, at quito a moderate-priced hotel, which in prewar days could ho obtained for 12s. or 135., is now anything from 20s. to 305., while to obtain a firo in one's roqm requires a doctor's certificate, and costs an extra 355. per week. Restaurant -prices havo soared heavenward, and the charge for liquid refreshment is enough (o make a man a confirmed prohibitionist. "Tho theatres are crowded nightly, and to obtain a dress circle or stalls ticket it is necessary to besiege the offices of tho agents, and pay, with their taxes, 9s. or 9s. Gd. for the former (per seat) ana' 14s. or 14s. 6d. for tho latter. The prices of clothing have also ascended to tiie heights. A lady's costume, once obtainable for ,£G 6s. or £i 75., is now double tluvt price, and a dress suit, for-_ i merly £1 7s. to .£8 Bs. (in London), now" costs anything up to 12s. "What with strikes, high prices, rationing conditions, taxes, and general unrest, London is a place, temporarily, at all events, to avoid." The voyago out in tho Athenie (a fine sea boat) was very pleasant, but the vessel has not yet been adapted: for tropical conditions, and the absence of electric fans, etc., was felt by many of tho passengers. Tho passage of the Panama Canal gave Mr. Haybittle tho opportunity of inspecting and photographing the wonders of this great engineering feat that unites two vast oceans. They saw in succession the modern- American town of Colon, with its wonderfuL appliances for pnnlimr filflnniprs electrically. Do Lessons'

old ditch, tho mighty Gatun lock?, the great artificial lake, that stupendous achievement, the Culebra Cut, and, finally, the San Miguel locks, whxli lower the vessel down into tho waters of the Pacific. , „ Mr. Haybittlo is looking and feeling well, and is very glad to oe once more back in tho city he loves so well.