HOME AND THE CONTINENT.

Otaki Mail, 10 January 1923, Page 3

HOME AND THE CONTINENT.

INTERESTING VISIT BY LEVIN , LADY. ! In June last, Mrs J. W. Rimmer, of Levin, left on a visit to her relatives in England, and afterwards went across to the Continent, where a very interesting month was spent in Germany and Austria, which at this particular time have much to interest the British visitor. UNEMPLOYMENT AT HOME. Mrs Rinnner informed a Chronicle representative that she, arrived Home in the lute summer, but the season was a bad one as regards weather, being much like we have here in winter. The general condition of the country industrially was bad. Trade was dull, and unemployment rife, the dole system to relieve the unemployed being largely in force among- the workers. A large percentage of the out-of-works were young men 18 years and upwards, who simply could not get work, whilst there were large numbers of married men out also. The payment of the dole seemed to lie done- very unsatisfactorily, tlie payments not being made for weeks, the recipients simply having to struggle on as best they could until they got work. Tlie working population were on what is known us the “clock system” right through England, and got paid for the work they actually did and not for what they were supposed to do, and there was a lightening up all round as a result. “The New Zealand and Australian workers arc in a workers’ paradise and don’t know 11,” said Mrs Bimnrer. The engineering trade seemed to he very slack. The war period created large numbers of mechanics, and they could not tie absorbed in the present condition of things. COST OF LIVING HIGH. “Living is dearer in the Old Country than in New Zealand,” said Mrs Rimmer, and gave a few instances of the cost of foodstuffs. Bacon was 2/2 per lb, chops the same price, rump steak 2/, beef steak 1/8, butter 2/, milk 7(1 per quart. Bread was a little cheaper than here, and margarine could be bought at all prices according to quality. Prices varied u little in different cities, hut all were on a BUSY GERMANY.

at Castlecliff Beach recently, says the

In September Mrs Dimmer, accompanied by a party of relatives, left for the Continent, going via Dover to Osiend and through Belgium to Brussels. From there the party proceeded to Cologne in Germany. This city is °n the Rhine, and is occupied by British troops. Both here and in other parts of Germany industry was very brisk. Factories everywhere were working at high pressure, and many had orders in hand for months ahead. Unemployment was practically unknown. The rate of exchange was decidedly in favour ui British visitors, and travelling and accommodation was very reasonable in consequence. A bed and breakfast at one of the best private hotels in Cologne cost t JOJ, and that sum included the tax on for eigners. Railway tntveu.itig wag

cheap and conilMrietite. There, vere for.,' vjiitjscs ui carriage? which tvenup to dale ui all respects. Cologne u> Berlin is a long journey, but the cost, first -class, fur « party of live, was 13/. 1 he- ctiops in the German cities were excellently stocked. In Colap and elsewhere the large establishments displayed oaras stating that 100 per cent tax was added to goods sold to foreigners. The law of competition, however, came ip.to force, for the smaller shops notified that they did not enforce the 100 per cent tax, and consequently caught a lot of foreign trade,

BEAUTIFUL STREETS AND BUILD INGS.

German cities were noticeable for their beautiful streets and buildings. Many of the restaurants were- famous historically, and in public builißag-s the architecture, was superb, streets in numerous oases were lined with trees, anu statues were frequently to be seen along the thoroughfares. Mum-hen. Berlin and other cities were most interesting to the visitors, hut Potsdam, the ex-Kaiser’s former home, was especially so, Tnc*. castles, gardens and grounds were a beautiful sight, and many souvenirs were obtained of the once-famous home of German royalty, BRITISH "TOURISTS' PARADISE. Just now with the rate of exchange so much in favour of British currency, Germany (and Austria as well) is a veritable paradise to the British vis;, tor, owing to the cheapness of everyi tiling. As a remit, there is a regular 1 stream of visitors to. these countries, and many English people with small | incomes have taken up residence in i Germany, and are able to live much cheaper than in England. ' IN AUSTRIA.

Going on to Austria, Vienna was found to be a fine city noted for its beautiful shops, and in days gone by was one of the fashion centres of Europe. The country was not nearly so busy as Germany, and the condition of the kroner being much lower than the German mark in the rate of exchange to the British pound, seemed to affect, the condition of the country commercially. The cost of living was higher than in Germany, althougii the- British visitor had little to complain of. The German people seemed well disposed towards the British, whont they treated with courtesy , and respect. Four weeks were spent in sight-seeing- and the party returned home much impressed with their experiences, and a new insight into affairs in countries which a few- yeajs ago were opposing us in tbs greatest military struggle the World has seen. The present position in regard to fire-blight in the Auckland district was ' described on Tuesday by Mr G. A. Green, a member of the iocad Eirefc.ight- Cpmrpiices. He said tsai vhi blight was now fairly prevalent throughout, the W aitemata, County,

and in other Auckland districts, but the outbreak was not regarded as very serious. In every instance it was still shown by observations throughout. the district that pear trees were more subject than apple trees to infection, and some types of apple trees were more prone to attacks than others. In some of the districts the blight appeared to be more virulent in one season than in another, and in ibis respect the experience of America was being reproduced. It was quite evident, added Mr Green, that the main basis of elimination was the cutting out of hawthorns and of all infected twigs and branches before the “ooze” or suppuration stage was reached.