LONDON’S EAST END

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 888, 4 February 1930, Page 11

LONDON’S EAST END

‘ GAY AND HAPPY” POOR Wliere in London is the life most happy and gay? “The West End.” you will reply, without hesitation, says the “Evening: News.” But according to no less an authority than Mr. H. A. L. Fisher, a former president of the Board of Educai tion. and now warden of New College. ! Oxford, you are mistaken. The East End is the centre of gaiety. Listen to what Mr. Fisher said at Oxford when he was presiding at a meeting of the College cf Oxford House, Bethnal Green. “The population of East London is one of the glories of England,” he declared. “It is a very gay population. The East End of London is a very much better place to work in than Oxford. It has a brilliant, vivifying air, and all the attractions of a sea- ! side place/* The Mayor of Bethnal Green. Mr. George Bay ley, speaking for the East 1 End as a whole, told an interviewp ■ j that Mr. Fisher had uttered a. profound truth. “We are a gay, happy people down here/* he said. “I was born in Bethnal Green, have been 1 here all my life, and I desire no bet- - ter place in which to live and work. I It is marvellous how contented and - happy the poorer classes are. They - do not envy the more glaring and - luxurious life of the West End. but are satisfied with their simple amusements, the cinemas, concerts, aad occasional outings. We are a sociable people, and enjoy our pleasures enthusiastically. We get through our day s work with zest. If West End London wants to know how to work and to play with the greatest degree, i have a look at us/’ I I -