ROUND THE WORLD TRIP

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2946, 8 October 1925, Page 3

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP

The following' is a further instalment of a series of articles to be written by the editor of this paper during his world tour: — I had to cut off my last letter in order to catch the mail. • We are spending a most interesting time in London. The Tower of London was a. special interest and we spent some hours there. The “Beef Eaters” or guards in their quaint dress are very courteous. An old lady went up to one, who had hq.d a busy day showing people round and she said: “Now, sir, which is the Bloody Tower?” Putting his hand to his head he replied, “the whole lot mum!” The antics of the antient ravens' also amused me.

In my opinion, the best way to see London is from the top of a motor bus. The manner in which the traffic is regulated is marvellous. The London police and bus drivers are on their own. Speaking to a policeman—and I have had some interesting chats with some of them — I remarked on their efficiency and splendid physique as compared with those on the Continent. He replied “the business of the Continental police seems to be to watch people getting run over!” You cannot stick the London police with questions concerning London, but they get frightfully tangled in reference to our Dominion. They mix up New Zealand with Australia. Chatting to two of them I was informed that one of their mates had gone to New Zealand and was doing well on a sheep station back in the bush in Australia! I am often asked whether I know of a certain people living in Sydney or Melbourne, in the belief that New Zealand is a town somewhere in the Australian Commonwealth.

We spent a day at the Wembley Ex hibition, in comparison with which the Paris exposition showed up to great disadvantage. I was delighted with the New Zealand section — whatever others may have said to the contrary and I heard nothing but praise from visitors concerning our exhibits. I will deal more fully with this later on but can only say that the money expended by, the Government has been more than justified in bringing our products and scenic resorts into( worldwide prominence. I must mention a visit to Hyde Park, where agitators, cranks, and propagandists let off steam. Thousands congregate every evening and all day on Sunday. Each spokesman collects a group of listeners, all anxious to set the world right. Anyone desirous of argument can “have a go.” I listened to a socialist of the extreme order belching forth personal abuse and class hat-

red. One old fellow whom the crowd referred to as “Old Charley” was very entertaining. Some of his audience knew his oration off by heart, and when lie commenced a sentence th-cy -would finish it in chorus. Here are a (.few of the questions that were fired off at him: “If a man was engaged to a woman with a wooden leg, could he break it off?” “Can a man with a lantern jaw see in the dark?” “Could a man with a floating kidney swim the channel.” All the cranks imaginable hold forth there. We spent a very interesting time at Windsor Castle, and visited the various historic parts of the building. One obtains a fine view of the country side and park from the bill. The oid belfrey and dungeon and secret passage recalled historic incidents.

Autumn sales are in full swing in the drapery houses and thousands flock to secure the bargains. Taken all in all I think London is the greatest and cheapest shopping centre in the world. Paris caters more for light dressy goods, very artistic, but for solid wear in either male or female garments, London excels. The Jews seem to dominate the clothing trade and crowds flock to the East end to make purchases.

I was fortunate enough to be near the location of a big conflagation just before the fire engines arrived. I got blocked in the crowd which quickly assembled. It was wonderful to see the firemen in action. Each man knew his job and although the fire had a big hold before they arrived it was not long before they had the flames under. I spent an interesting time at one of ..the city fire stations.

The places of entertainment attract large audiences and booking for the best has ft) be done in advance. Loudon audiences are far more oppreciative than those on the Continent. “Rose Marie/' and “No No Nanette" (Drury and Palace) have been playing for months and are crowded nightly. The “dole" system still obtains and although it may tend to create paupers it is an insurance against something worse. Although there are thousands out of work, I did not notice the same poverty as on the Continent. It seemed strange, however, to see so many ex-ser-vice men, with war decorations acting as porters at hotels and theatres. There is not the military “swank” in London that is so apparent in Continental cities. The coal trouble still remains unsettled and the Government has set up a commission independent of both disputants which may lead the way to a final solution. British Fascisti number thousands and they are out to counter extreme action by the Communists. ’ By the way I paid a visit to “Dirty Dicks." It was crowded on the occasion with men and women quenching their thirst. The manager gave me an autographed booklet containing the history of the place. . , Had a chat with Dr. Whittaker,

late of Palmerston North but now doing speeialy work on the wellknown Whittaker publication. Also met Dr. Horace Nash and another young New Zealand medico at High gate Hospital. The experience gained in this institution will stand them well when they return to New Zealand.

We proceeded to Liverpool—a drab city. The floating dock is a wonderful engineering feat. The ferry service across the Mersey is continuous. Saw some of the ferry boats which took part in the Zeebrugge blockade affair. They are distinguished by a red band on the funnels. We spent an enjoyable time at Liverpool’s watering place “Hoylakc." Crowds congregate there every week-end. Motored to Chester —a delightful old English town, and visited the Cathedral and took a walk, along the Roman wall and looked out of the out of the window from whence Charles I. saw his army defeated by Cromwell. The battle field is now covered with buildings. I should liked to have spent more time in* this quaint old town.

Liverpool is well provided with parks and pleasure resorts and is served by at excellent tram service and overhead railway, also an underground—beneath the Mersey. The Cathedral, in course of construction, is a magnificent structure. Crowds attend the unconventional services held there every Sunday night —lots of singing and a short address.

The schools are very drab structures in the city and the environment somewhat depressing.

The university attracts students from all parts of the Empire. As in London, business premises observe Saturday afternoon as a holiday.

I forgot to mention that when visiting Wembley our guide on entering the New Zealand section remarked: “You know, ladies and gentlemen, - the people in New Zealand are so intermarried with the natives, that you .can’t tell which is which.” Of course this drew me, and I had to deliver a brief explanation —to the amusement of the party. The guide and 1 were good pals after this. Our exhibition officials were amused at the incident. Of course the guide had no connection with our Government staff. The ladies will be interested to know that it is quite exceptional to see other than .shingled hair. Long hair among young and old of the fair sex is almost as rare as ringlets. The hair-dressers are doing a roaring' trade. Shorn locks lias come to stay. Short skirts and cloche (helmet) hats arc the fash-ion—wide-brimmed hats are rarely seen. May I mention sleeveless dresses, flesh-coloured stockings, little Eton collars and large butterfly bows —horn-rimmed sun glasses to taste. Now as to men’s fashions. The coats lit to the waist with Oxford bags —trousers of sand colour. There is enough material in one pair of trousers to make an ordinary suit. Then there are the “plus’fours” (knickers) which look like inflated balloons. Thousands may he seen in these queer “get ups” which provide musical hall entertainers with a. fund of jokes. The bowler hat is in vogue again. One sees very few straw hats now in England, hut on the Continent it is almost unniversally worn.

The English fruits, apples, plums and pears, are not to be computed with New Zealand fruit, this is not to be wondered at after visiting English orchards. They don’t appear to prune the trees which grow (o a comparatively great size and a ‘re very ancient and as a result the fruit is small and woody. I noticed a quantity of Tasmanian and Nelson apples on the market at 9d per lb.