A TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1659, 28 January 1913, Page 9

A TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND.

A. ; VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS; ,

(By Telejrraph.—Special Correspondent.) ; . Invorcargill,. January-27. Prior to departuro from Bluff to-day Mr. Prazer (Commonwealth Postma&tcrGcncral) was approached with the view of ascertaining tho impressions ho had formed as result of liis. Now' Zealand trip. Tho distinguished visitor expressed himself in enthusiastic terms regarding the Douiinion from every aspect). -It was, ho said,'; a wonderful little ..' country. About its peoplo was an invigorating atmosphere'of observablo possibly in no other land, and;signs of prosperity and progress, were abundant, while the whole country was liberally, endowed |by Nature. What ;struck him forcibly I as . a West Australian was the blessing enjoyed, through plentiful streams of pure water. ,Th» people of Now Zealand were in possession of U-heritage of which they could reasonably: be i proud: ' ■ ■Both his wife, iand himself were'rapturously delighted with the, m'agnificent • scenery, Eotorua' .was a splendidnational asset ind rovcnue-prodocor,' which would prove: a lucrative proposition as long as it'was permitted to hold a placo on the Dominion map. How long that would bo nobody, could tell. ' The baths frero up-to-datol and tho place generally' was excellently'managed. He doprecated tho proposal' to confer rights of freehold onjwivAte; individuals. t The place was. a State asset, and should-be retained for State benefits.' To relinquish State,control- ovor one aero would undoubtedly be most unjust to tho people as a'whole!, : ' The trip up tho Wanganui 'Hiver was also attended; with pleasurablo recollections, so far as its wonderful natural scenery was concerned. Ho was of opinion, however, that' the locality woula bo appreciated to a greater extent by tourists,, and find readier popularity as a resort, wero the facilities and conveniences under Government control; It' wa3 not his place - to speak more specifically on .the point, and be advanced tho opinion merely for the benefit of Wanganui. In tho South Island ho had conic by way of Lyttelton, Cliristchurch, Dtinedin, and' Queenstown. of progress and tho adoption' of., modern methods . by poiithcrn cities had impressed Kim much. With the Cold Lakes ho was particularly delighted. Queenstown was an ideal place for a restful holiday. He' regretted hp could not prolong his visit. . Representatives of tho Government, arid public and .private peoplo had shown his wifo and himself every courtesy, and they carried away tho pieasahtest possible recollections of the country and people. Tho visit was undertaken for a two-fold purpose—personal recuperation and discussing with the New Zealand PostmasterGeneral matters of mutual interest. Amongst other questions considered was that having to do with cable rates to and from England. In this connection wero Teviowcd methods that .might bo brought into operation whereby a -Slate-owned Atlantic cable could'bo.'secured, without which it was generally conceded that no substantial reduction in cable rates could bo effected. Another subjcct forming the burden of deliberation was the question of cable facilities to and from New Zealand and Australia, and the possibility of the further utilisation of the wireless fystein in and across the Pacific. Consideration was also given of the interchange of postal notes between tho two countries. As the direct conscquenco of .exchanging viows, Mr. Frazer expressed himself as being confident that an understanding had been reached on these important matters, and that. «ome definite announcement would most likely be mado in tho near future. Detailed outlines of reforms framed as the result of the negotiations \vo;ild be announced in due pourse, and through the .usual channels.