LADIES ENJOY “SMOKO.”

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1925, Page 4

LADIES ENJOY “SMOKO.”

SOME X.Z. RECORDS. WELLINGTON, July 23. “I can’t make out why the Cumnnmists and Bolsheviks what few there are in New Zen la lid—always want lo he stirring tin trouble in this little country, where the people enjoy more privileges and pleasures per capita, probably than any other country in the world.”

It was the view of the man in the street, a business man who had, along with a “Times” representative, just made a purchase of cigarettes. \\ bile in the tobacconist's two young ladies entered, purchased a packet oT cigarettes of a popular lira ml and a box of matches, which they stowed away in their handbags. “Are those for runsuuiption C was the question prompted by a little

j curiosity. “Oh yes.” was the reply. ' They come in every day. For the lirst hour or so after we open most of the customers are young ladies engaged in various occupations. They have their private rooms where they go and enjoy a cigarette before they start work. "And they like the popular brands that the men smoke. The small cigarettes specially made lor the ladies" i trade or the gold-tipped ones have gone right out. Either they were too expensive or the ladies get more sutisj faction from smoking the popular brands. Yes, the ladies' trade is probably equal to 10 per cent, of the business. perhaps a hit more.” The man in the street turned with the pressman to leave. “ New Zealand people are the heaviest cigarette smokers in the world,” said the tobacconist as a parting shot. It was when in the street that the opening remark was passed, with the addition that New Zealand could do without the •'dismal Jimmies.” The business man evidently had a bent for statistics, and remarked that cigarette consumption was not the only record New Zealand possessed. It had the greatest number of motor-ears and mo-tor-cycles pel 1 capita, one to every seven: in America he said, it was one in -'2: New Zealand people eat more confectionary—and high-class contertinit irv at that— than any other emmtiv. had more gramophones and records n"i' capita, are among the greatest tea drinkers in the world, are voracious readers, are without question the biggest meat eaters among the nations, eating meat three times a day. and have mere pleasure in ike way of sports, pictures, theatres, and other amusements.