Originally Posted by
fungus pudding
Talk of the restrictive rules controlling NZ in those days reminds me of only being allowed to buy margarine with a doctor's prescription, and only from a chemist. Lists of products dairies could sell, e.g. pies but not tomato sauce. Hand soap but not washing powder. Dairies usually divided products into open areas and areas that could be locked off. Grocery stores other than those classed as dairies had to close at 5 p.m. and weekends were not allowed to open. Neither could most retail shops apart from Brighton in Christchurch and one suburb in Wellington. This was all policed by Labour Dept. inspectors. Pubs were only allowed to open till 6 p.m. That is why I say it was an awful little country. It was always fascinating to talk to someone who had been bold enough to go to Australia or for the really bold - even further (preumably with a friend to provide accomodation because funds to take overseas did not really provide sufficient for hotel accomodation and leave any spending money) anyway such travellers would have us wide eyed with stories of the shopping at weekends - pubs open in the evening, clubs with restaurants and bars, and many other activitities forbidden in NZ and a few communist coutries.