THE DOMINION'S PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 3

THE DOMINION'S PROGRESS.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. Among tho recent visitors to New Zealand is. Mr. Jas. Hill, ox-Lord-Mayor of Bradford, England. Mr. Hill, who has been for a period of five, weeks in tho Dominion, combining business with pleasure, made, during the course of a conversation with a "New Zealand Herald" reporter, a number of remarks on matters of general interest. "I was through New Zealand in 1597," snid Mr. Hill, "and I cannot help being impressed with the wonderful progress the Dominion has made during the last 11 years. On this occasion I have mado a comprehensive tour, right from the Bluff'to Auckland, visiting all places of interest en route, including the thermal attractions in tho Rotoriia district. At Home, 1 am largely interested in tho wool trade, and consequently during my stay in New Zealand have paid particular attention to this line. New Zealand wool has a splendid reputation in tho manufacturing centres of England, largely, on account of tha great pains Now Zealand growers nave taken with it. As long as the present high standard is maintained they have nothing to fear, and we will be prepared to take till that they cau produce. "Wool from tho Argentine," continued.. Mr. Hill, "has been coming into favour on the English market during the past few years, and as that country is being rapidly developed and exploited, I think it is going to be a strong competitor with both New Zealand and Australia in the near future. Tho Argentine also has the great advantage that it is much closer to tho Home markets. In fact, many firms now prefer wool produced in South America. There is not much difference in the quality, and I should say it was about equal to the Australasian standard."

Mr. Hill went on to say that Now Zealand butter and cheese aro in Ktoti demand at Home, and the fact that they hold , their own in the face of tho strongest Danish competition is n glowing tribute to' the Dominion. Ho could not emphasise too strongly the bright prospects of trade between New Zealand' and the ' western markets of England. Touching on civic matters, Mr. Hill strongly advocated municipal control. In Bradford (city population SOfl.OCO) the municipal authorities controlled, amongst other things, the gas, water, electric lighting, and tramways. In two years from tho profits of the tramways alone the rotes were relieved to the extent o'f ,£40,000; this after making every provision for interest and sinking funds. "It'.would'benefit your country." Mr. Hill continued, "if New Zealand were now extensively advertised at Home, though during the last couple of years New Zealand has been more tallied about than at nnv previous tin-e in its history. The gift of a Dreadnought was largely the cause of this."