MADAME GALLI-CURCI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2908, 11 July 1925, Page 4

MADAME GALLI-CURCI.

DEPRESSION'S .OF AMERICA

The sound of a wonderful voice trillin'? like a. bird, in glorious fullthroated song, was sufficient guide to the pleasant sitting room occupied by Madame Galli-Ourei, the great soprano who has been delighting Auckland audiences. One felt disinclined to disturb "the golden ripple of melody, but the trill ended as we reached the door, an a cheery “Come in,” greeted our hesitant knock.

Charming friendliness characterised Madame’s reception of her visitors, and she chatted freely and unaffectedly without restraint. A word of apology for the atrocious weather with which Auckland had greeted the great songstress was met with raised hands and an “Oh so dreadful; but I hope the sun will shine before I leave Auckland, for I am hoping to see the beauties of your city.”

Then the interviewers explained that it had been reported that Madame was an enthusiastic supporter of prohibition. Would she care to say anything about it ? “Oh, I shall he so pleased,” she responded vivaciously. “It has made such wonderful changes in America; such a joy it is not in sec the unpleasant saloons and the drunken men in tho streets. Yes, prohibition has made, wonderful improvement," a sentiment which was heartily endorsed by Madamo’s husband, the two joining in a duet of praise for the changed conditions in the United States.

A great deal had appeared in the newspapers about “bootlegging,” an while it was true that it existed, there was little evidence of it in the big cities. At tirsl it was thought smart to carry a pocket flask, but that bad died out now. The novelty bad gone, and there was no security concerning the quality of the liquor to be obtained.

“The label is no guarantee of the contents," said Madame’s husband, who declared that though they lived in New York, ho did not know of a single place where he could obtain liquor. It was not procurable in the hotels. Visitors were asked not to bring it into hotels and wore even turned away if liquor were found in their possession.

The recent stringent enforcement of the law had made hotel proprietors very earefnl. It. liquor was supplied in any hotel the officers closed up the hotel and padlocked the doors. The famous “Rilz-Carl-ton" had just escaped being elosed up owing to liquor being supplied

iit a roof-garden entertainment

The proprietors pleaded that they had no control over the roof garden. it was finally determined that this be closed, the hotel narrowly escaping a like fate. Inquiry for liquor in an hotel now mol with a prompt reply that it could not he supplied. Madame was asked whether wine was used at dances, banquets and similar functions. “No," she said, “von do not sec wine; we drink our

toasts in. water; wine is not considered necessary., and the dances arc. the more, enjoyable because of the absence of liquor.” The working men and their families had reaped the greatest benefit from prohibition. Tin 1 money formerly spent in liquor was now used to purchase food, clothing and other home comforts. It had greatly increased the sales of pianos and musical instruments. A manufacturer of musical instruments who had opposed prohibition now enthusiastically endorsed it. Employers generally were well pleased with the increased efficiency of their workmen. They noticed a great difference in the factories on Mondays. “f think that women should lie the lirst to want prohibition,' said Madame, “because they' are the ones who suffer most from drink. Ah, it was sad to see the women in England going into the 1 saloons. liut it is not so here, is it ?" When informed that a poll on prohibition was to be taken this year in New Zealand, Madame wished it every success. “ I hoy talk about prohibition destroying liberty, but it is the drinkers who are the slaves; they are hound iu the chains of habit. It is not liberty, hut slavery."