COSTLY MEALS AND MANY NEW CARS IN AUSTRALIA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 94, 1 June 1949, Page 5

COSTLY MEALS AND MANY NEW CARS IN AUSTRALIA

In a letter to the Beacon from Sydney, Mr J. H. White, one of the local members of the Young Farmers Club party now touring Australia, gives a brief account of the trip up to May 17. Two of the main things the young New Zealanders have noticed, he says, are the high cost of meals and the large ndmber of new cars in Australia. Here is his letter:—

“On May 12 at 10.30 we were entertained by the Auckland hostess of Mitchell’s International Tours at morning tea in the National Party Centre where each member was introduced to any others he had not previously met. We also received our steamer tickets and final instructions. At 2 p.m. the party met at the wharf gates. After queing for one hour to get through the Customs we boarded the ship which sailed an hour later. Members Sick

Approximately 7.30 on Friday, New Zealand disappeared from view and several members of the party were sick. By 10 o’clock only about six of us were on deck. At 4 p.m. boat drill was held. Pictures were held that night.

■ “Next morning most of the party got up for breakfast. -On this day the Wanganella cracked a piston, reducing the speed considerably. On Sunday a medical examination was held.

“Monday morning at approximately 11* a.m. Sydney Heads appeared through a haze that reduced visibility to approximately two miles. After the boarding of customs officials in the stream the ship steamed under the bridge to dock approximately 4J hours late. No difficulty was experienced passing the Customs.

“After lunch the party went to the Le Tourneau Works at Rydlerrere, where heavy earth-moving machinery is made. The firm entertained us to afternoon tea and movie films after a 1§ hour inspection of the works. A recording was made by. the A.B.C. of an interview with our leader and co-leaders, Messrs R. Mutton, L. Ash and, J. Hawkin. At 5 o’clock ,we were entertained at the N.Z. Services Club.

Sydney Milk Depot “On the 17th we went on a sightseeing trip through the main area of the city and the Eastern suburbs. In the afternoon we visited a large cool store and the main milk depot of Sydney. “The most surprising thing noticed by us is that meals cost over twice as much as in New Zealand. Other things we noticed were: The large number of taxis, the large number of new cars, the large number of Holden and Vangard cars, the speed taxis travel, the age of Sydney’s trams. Most of the other goods are very similar in price to their New Zealand equivalents. Cigarettes are very scarce, but spirits are very plentiful.”