AUSTRALIAN MARCHING TEAM REVIEWS N.Z. TOUR

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1947, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN MARCHING TEAM REVIEWS N.Z. TOUR

Members of the Treloar's girls' marching team, which reeently toured New Zealand, differed in their views in whether or not they would like to live in New Zealand, states a Tamworth newspaper, but all were unanimous on the extraordinary attracion it holds for tourists. Onee travel difficulties have been overcome and publicity' campaigns are in full swing, they jelieve New Zealand will be the mecca of. many holiday makers,. partieularly from Australia. In New Zealand, according to fche girls., there is an atmosphere mtirely different from that which exists in neighbouring lands, The country combined scenic grandeur with the additional attractions of the various volcanic phenomena. flhe climate, they claim, is ideal, and the people wonderfully hospitable and extremely pleasant. Towns More Mo^ern A comparis.on of New Zealand fcowns and villages was possible orfly with the best of those in Australia. Tamworth coihpared favourahly with any centre they hafl s.een on the tour, but gener-I flly New Zealahd towns. were more modern. Buildings were not as high but were very attractive. The Go.vernment-built *' houses, many of them weatherboard, were modern and never suffered for want of paint. No dilafJidated i.lmost century-pld homes were to be seen, as was the case ih Aus'ralian towns and cities. The State's eontribution to the housinppxoblem, plus o.ther b.eneflfcs such as cheap. medioal treatment, had assisted in bringing what could . be a fairly high .costs of living dovm to what appeared to be on a par

with the Australian cost bf living.- . , . The materials and tapestries displayed in the stores were outstanding, the girls stated. Neverfcheless, they considered the Australians dressed better . and that their clothes and designs were far in advance of those of' New Zeaianders. Grirls in marching teams all wore finely toned satins or velvets, and some tartans, all beautifully pleated. The visitors found iilk stockings in extremely short supply. Those- available brought 25s lld a pair, compared with 7s 6 d for a good Australian line. They found most shoes on 'display oo be of flne quality and excellent design, but too expensive for most of the girls to consider buying. Male At'tire Amazes ^ v

A curious part of the men's mode of dress, theyjsaid, was that of -the school and college pupils. No matter of what age, all appear^ sd to wear short trousers. Bright colours were the vogue with the 'men, who invariably wore "loud" ties, shirts and sweaters, Wool generally was not of the standard 3een in Australia, being much coarser. Commenting on the food in New Zealand, they said it was of high quality, but there was not enough variety'. The girls were giyen only one opportunity of seeing the industrial life of New Zealand. At Wanganui they inspected the woollcn mills, seeing the process from the fcime the fleeces were received tQ fche manufacture of the cloths. Transport was not as modern as

that in Australia. Railway rolflng ntock was about on a par with tnat of the New South Wales system. Trams, however, were antiquated and extremely noisy. Many New Zealanders rode 'cycles, even eldefly men and women. A 'cycle painted any other colour chan black was very uncommon. Cars were not as modern nor as numerous as in Australia, but motorists seemed to have a greater sense of road courtesy. Smoking was a habit engaged in by praetieally everyone. Even. the girls smoked heavily, some .oeing chain smokers. Members of fche marching teams were invariably smoking during spells in training and contests. All the girls praised the mgnner in which New Zealanders spoke. Their' English was very proper, and inclined to be spoken in a fascinating musical voice.

Marching Popular Marching . was the principal recreation for the girls, and football for the boys. Teams of marching girls were establisjhed throughout . the two islands, • and ■ avery member took a keen inter- ' est in her organisation. Many of . fchem had been established for upwards of ten years, and conse- ^ quently had reached a high stan- | dard. The girls took their trffin- > ;ng -seriously, often commencing before breakfast and continuing in the afternoons, following work. S.ummfng up, they thought the New Zealand tour was the most wonderful experience all had had. ffihey were unsparing in their praise of New Zealand people for the kindness and hospitality shown them and the great spirit of sportsmanship.