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TOO MANY LEISURE HOURS.
Workers Weary of Tlieir New Life
The weariest men and women in London
arc tho ones who had nothing to do,
writes the "Daily Express." Groups of
;ired looking men, with an infinite bore
dom on >their faces, could be seen idling
n the parks and open- spaces or sauntering
(iinlessly along tho hot pavements.; Some
were counting the hours to the time when
".he night shift began; others were "cii-
, eying' ' a holiday that was merely an
.mbarrassmont 'to them. '
"People look more tired than ever they
did in the strenuous munition days," was
-ho acute comment of one observer.
The shorter working day wcgi by the
erado unions for industry has taken the
workers unawares. The 45 or 48 hour
week, which is the general average m in-
dustvy, leaves them with hours of Ieisino'
which might be made rich in interest. In'-
- itcad, tens of thousands of workers are
ivery. day merely wondering how they can
kill tunc. -,
Employers are finding tlint their woikers
are, if possible, more . listless after their
Holidays than before. The "lioiid.iyisti".
.eeling lias never been more marked, and
it is no longer peculiar to the first work
ing day of the week.
'I know of no more necessary and ur
gent national campaign at this moment
than one whioh would have for its object
the popularising of hobbies," said a -ineiii-
. man. . 'Both- men and women are flock-
ingi'to the consulting- rooms,; complaining
that -they are dull and tired and can take
"0,J-n c8'i m "c- Physically there is
nothing wrong witli these people. Thev
ire merely bored, but I recognise the symp
toms of a mmd that is ill at ease and a
body that is weary without. being healthily
tarigued. Find a hobby is my prescription.
?ur® '"'ill bring no renewed
M.?re a Tt ?'J they. .ai-e not properly
utilised. not too old, un active interest
n outdoor games ahould be cultivated
those, too o'd for violent exericso can find
'nterest m_fishing, stamp collecting, iihuto
graphy and scores of other pursuits. Hob
nes/will bring back the natural- interest m
i!«- r® >'8- no io body or soul in
IS awny "re merely
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