FROM WAR TO PLEASURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1919, Page 8

FROM WAR TO PLEASURE.

HB» , RIOT OF EXTRAVAGANCE. REACTION IN BRITAIN. London, Oct. 27. Joyous delight in pre-war pleasures is the most notable reaction of the war Western Europe seems to have left its chrysalis and to be clothing itself in gaiety. On every hand in the victorious countries bright scenes reflect the infinite relief of the millions who spent five years m the shadows. Dancing is enjoying an unprecedented boom. Clubs are springing up in Britain like mushrooms, and in jniwy cases they are being directed by middle-class girls, who arc not satisfied with a return to idle pre-' war ways. r It _is estimated that the number of dancing teachers in London Ims trebled in the last six months. A strong feature is a general wish among the rniddlc°.ged people to resume their dancing days. Organisations are extending in the provinces for the improvement of national dancing, and village dances an having a great vogue. The larger London hotels have ballrooms open afternoon and evening. The dinner dance is the newest form of private hospitality, and the supper dance is disappearing. SPORT AND THE THEATRES. Sport lias already returned to full favor, the crowds during the Newmarket Week constituting a record. The King won three races, giving a lead to the renewed popularity of racing. The war barrenness of the golf clubs has been overcome, and now there are waiting lists for membership. The green fees have been doubled, and it is difficult to get a game. Football, it. is estimated, draws nearly a million spectators a week, while there is a strange revival of old-world sports like archery. The theatres are booming, and "Chu Chin Chow" has surpassed "Charley's Aunt" with a world record of 1487 performances. At the picture shows long queues are seen nightly, and a strong musical season has now opened, the artists including Melba, Tetrazzini, and Busoni, while Beecham's Grand Opera Company is beginning a special cheappriced season at Covcnt Garden. Bridge maintains supremacy among card players, but whist drives are enjoying a boom. Similar events are marking the life of Paris, where boxing especially is much in vogue. SCENES AT NIGHT CLUBS, Many commentators remark on the huge expenditure involved in joymaking, and some _are attacking the wild expenditure of women no furs, amounting to even 1500 guineas a set, but the critics at present are concentrated upon the Government, declaring that until the Treasury ceases spendthrift finance and paying the definciency by note-printing, thus further reducing money's purchasing power, private people will not recognise that frugality is essential. Money has never been spent in Britain as it is now. Dressmakers and tailors are charging 150 per cent, above pre-war prices, yet they cannot handle the orders. There is a great craze for jewellery and precious stones, and merchants declare that their stocks are getting scarce. America is an enormous buyer of diamonds, taking at least three-fourths of the world's production, but the dearth is somewhat relieved by the fact that Russian people's jewellery is coming to the British market by many devious courses. The Evening News publishes a raking exposure of these imbecilities, describing profligate scones which it .alleges are common between ten and four o'clock. "The night clubs," it states, "are ablaze with light. The women are indecently underclad, wearing the. latest evening fashions with bareback, bodices. Wine flows lavishly at fabulous prices. A profit of £2OO a night is frequently made. Even drugs are procurable, but the main joy is in the dancing and cigarette smoking in an atmosphere of abandonment and familiarity. Introductions are unnecessary, and Christian names aro badicd about." Such dancing dens are undeniably common, but it does not alter the fact that the groat bulk of the post-war pleasureseeking is along wholesome lines.