ABSENCE OF SMILING FACES

Chronicle (Levin), 17 April 1947, Page 5

ABSENCE OF SMILING FACES

-Press Association

ADMIRAL OF FLEET A LITTLE SURPRISED

By Telegraph—

AUCKLAND, April 16. Candid but friemliv eomnrents 011 New Zeakmder's habits, characteristica and way of life, were mude 111 an interview by the Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Tovey, who, with Ladv Tovey, has spent almost three montlis on a holiday tour of the Dominion.. They are to return to England by the liner Rimutaka which will leave from Auckland toinorrow afternoon. Lord Tovey explained that he had preferred to make his visit entirely unotlicial and to trave) round the country viewing its beauty spots and gettiug to know the people as a private citizen. In this way he felt he would gain a more iutimate and aceurate picture of the Dominion than could have been achieved by a round of official visits and entertaimuents. Speaking sympathetieally but emplratically, Lord Tovey said that life to too many Xew Zealanders appeared to be a grim al'fair. ''People in your country districts were both friendly and >, hospitable, " he eontinued, "but 1 was • puzzled by the absenee of smiling faces in Ihe citieS and towns and more than surprised at the lack of friendly civility in your sliops and otlier places of business. If something cannot be supplied or undeitaken, why not explain it with a smile and an apology? A brusque 'Xo} ought to be the exception but I fear, as hratters stand, that it is the otlier way round. ' ' Lord Tovey deprecated the pubJicity which had been given to his experience ' in Christchurch in February when he was refused accommodation at five citv hotels in succession. He agreed, however, that it might have had benefieial aspects in drawing attention to the lack of accommodation for tourists. He felt, too, that Xew Zealanders who wefe V brusque to visitors did both themselves and their country a real disservice. w