THE NEW DISEASE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 June 1919, Page 3

THE NEW DISEASE

Lethargic encephalitis would appear to be our old friend "that tired feeling " under a new name. It is common enough in Auckland. You encounter cases at the public offices, the public institutions, the shops and stores. I have met with it at the post offices, the telegraph offices, and when ringing up " Central." The form of the complaint affecting public servants may be diagnosed -as cantbebothereditis. The disease is particularly prevalent in the retail establishments of the city, where the salesladies and salesgentlemen frequently comport themselves as if they were doing the customer a favour in ministering to his, or her, requirements. I have on various occasions waited at *the shorj counters of large establishments in Auckland while members of the staff employed chatted away together and exchatfged views on matters of current interest, apparently oblivious of the fact that customers —or would-be customers —were anxious to be attended to ; and I have been struck, many times, with the utter indifference with which intending buyers been treated. The article asked for is produced, questions regarding it are discouraged, and you are told —if not in so many words —" there you are ! Take it or leave it. If you don't like it you can lump It, but for goodness sake don't worry me. I really can't be bothered." I don't say this sort of thing obtains in all our shops and public institutions, but it certainly does in some of them.