OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 750, 25 July 1922, Page 5

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

A “DRY” SUBJECT. (From Our Own Correspondent). Mr A. S. Bankart, who has just returned from a trip to England, the Continent acd the U-5A.,,. says that in Amerxa “t''o one and only 'topic is Prohibition!” and that it seemed to him that the great, majority of the American people have come to the conclusion that the cure s worse than the disease. Of course the Revfi Mr Hammond, who in lerturing under engagement ito the Cold Wattef’ Pattpy does not. take that view of the Hotter and doubtless “Mr Pussyfoot” Johnson (now o|n his way to these shores), will bark up Mr Hammond when lie arrives. Meantime “tbe Tirade” seems to be taking tilings very coo’Jy. But whether its seeming in.differenre arises from a conviction that National Prohibition is coming that Pt s no use kicking against the pricks or is clue to its being satisfied., on the other hand. Itluit the Pump PaVfcy hasn’t a hope. T wouldn’t attempt to say. By the way. Archbishop Julius’ latest utterance touching the much-debated must be regarded as ratther significant. Speakbig at Christchurch the other night the Archbishop saiclv: “They call, me a Prohibitionist. T suppose 1 am one. But for tbe life of me 1 don’t know what is to come, of it. Prohibition might, for all I{ know, prove something worse than the liquor,” We are fold 'that the man con. vincecl against his w'lf, is of the same opinion st*il. The Archbishop’s attitude in regard to Prohibition would almost Head Qne to suppose that he is not fuMy convinced thtty it *s possible to make people-’ sober by legal) enactment. GERMAN GOODS. An Auckland merchant friend of mine wrth whom I was discussing this week the question of the resumption of trade relations \v|th put 'the case of the impellers very forcibly. Said he: “New Zealand merchants have no burning desire to resume the importation cf goods from Germany, but sooner or Uatir they are bound to start if, ard directly one firm n-;ake:s a start in that direct.on others will have ito follow sa-it—or gc"; left. After 'the war both England nr. cl Am eric a made stre'nuuos efforts to capture the German trade; and hi several instances they have done it. But not in all instances. There 1 ar e certain “made in Geimany”— j and rfreo in Austria—which are still miles ahead of apdjh'ng of the kind produced in other countries. These lines the Germans are offering at (riiidiculoud'y low prices, with the object of course, of tempting buyeis. You needn't remind me that during the war-—and for a long time after it was over—New' Zealanders and Australians used to vow that under no circumstances would they ever buv ; r,nv more German goods. But if people [are offered first-class lines at very cheap rsytes (they wdn’t stop to enquire where they are made, am afraid that’s true. OUR WEEKLY SING-SONG-

There is no building in Auckland sufficiently big new (to accommodate r| l the people who roll up of Wednesday to ijndulge, in a community “sing.” And this is causing a good deal of grumbling. The omy remedy seems to be to bo!td *be concerts m the open-air. The site qf the old City Markers would, I should say. he suitable. But the difficulty of getting into the Town ’ Halt after 12 o’clock noon is not the only cause of compl'afort. The ‘"sings” start rtt 12.30 and stop at 1-30. That arrangement suits all those people whose Quncheon is from 12 to 1. They can be sure of a good half-hour s enjoyment in comforf, at :apy'.rate. But before the cine; o’clockers can put i n a n appearance a,ll vacant seats have been fitted by people who are not tied to time. Facing the open-air plan the authorities should follow the example of the London music halls wb'ch give two separate performances each evening. WTiy should Ithevfe not be two community “sings” each Wednesday 12 to 1 r'n.d Ito 2? Who would have thought a few weeks ago that this form of amusement would “catch on as L has in Auckland ? But petople .declare the singing does them good, and thflf: they feel better and more cheerful for days after attending a concept. Why don’t some of the country 'towns try community saving ?