WAR CONTRAST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 178, 10 November 1941, Page 5

WAR CONTRAST

JOURNALIST'S VIEW

DOMINION AND- AUSTRALIA

A striking contrast between wartime conditions in New Zealand and in Sydney, and an enthusiastic survey of the Dominion's war effort, are contained in an article published recently in the Melbourne "Herald."' Ihe writer, an Australian journalist »vho has returned to the Commonwealth filter three years in New Zealand, was particularly impressed by the difference, externally at least; between conditions in the two countries. "Sydney, after New Zealand, camc. as a shock," the article says. "War-, time Sydney was brisker, noisier and more Continental (pre-war brand) llian we had imagined any Empire *<"ity had a right to be., In New Zealand we had been taxed, blacked-out iind regulated into a state of chronic seriousness and frugality. Two years of war had taken all fit single men lor the Expeditionary Force. Two years of war restrictions had made. New Zealand cities cheerless, and even stern. No Sydney Black-out "That is why it was a shock ta find young men having their manicures done in a Sydney barber's saloon. That is why it was disturbing to stand in Martin Place while men marched past on a recruiting stunt, and to hear the loud-speakers clash with the hum from open barrooms. And that is why it hurt inside to kvnoh. at 8s 6d, while the cocktails flowed and the manicured young men chatted of anything but the onslaught on Moscow. "These, of course, were externals, Wc knew of Australia's war work and were told of her astounding production figure. But the contrast was there all the same, and it came as a shock., "We had left New Zealand at night, and came to Sydney by nightAuckland had been black as pitch, her fair harbour suburbs screened with paint and cardboard from the raiders which New Zealand officials fear may any day return. Sydney was more glittering than ever."'

After reviewing aspects of New Zealand's war effort the writer refers to taxation in the Dominion, and says the Government has not yet dared to inflate; deliberately.; "Chief paradox in New Zealand to-day is what die-hards call 'the Government's preoccupation with expanded social services,' " he pdds. "The war effort is! getting every ounce of effort, and yet Labour goes ahead with expensive pension schemes, with housing, and with free medical services."

The writer ends on a facetious note: "Even the New Zealand earth is behaving nobly," he says. "The last year brought only 120 earthquakes, the lowest figure for some years."