Wooden Spoon for Hospitality

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 7

Wooden Spoon for Hospitality

BRITAIN MUST LOSE IT FOR CORONATION. TIMELY REMINDER FROM TIMES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Monday, 8.10 p.m. LONDON, Fob. 8. The United Kingdom for a long time has held unchallenged the wooden 3poon for hospitality among Anglo-Saxon nations. The Coronation will provide a first-class opportunity for the display of a little forethought and imagination in losing it,” says the Times in a leader entitled “Entertaining the Empire. ’ ’ It adds: “Britons now have the opportunity of returning that hospitality which every travelled Briton has enjoyed throughout the Empire and which with rare exceptions has not been returned in equal measure. Moreover, ordinary generosity apart from the natural wish to make a good impression lays a definite responsibility on every Briton with leisure and means to help visitors enjoy themselves, especially as many from the Antipodes will be visiting Home for the first time.” The leader contends that while the more distinguished guests will have a full share of the ceremonials, official entertainments, banquets and court balls, there arc other things to be done. Those who have friends overseas can entortain them or their friends, while those lacking acquaintances can obtain names from the various Empire societies. Sporting clubs, particularly golf clubs, jockey clubs and social clubs, can perhaps offer temporary membership. The 1 main principle is to establish at this early date an obligation to give ungrudgingly that hospitality which would be afforded Britons in similar circumstances throughout the Empire.