AMERICAN VISITOR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 107, 30 January 1920, Page 6

AMERICAN VISITOR

HI MISSIONS OF THE DOMINION,

Some interesting observations upon ,"«: Aonland were made by Mr. T. E. iiurton a former member of the United Mates Senate, in the course of an internew at, Auckland (states the "New Zealand JJernld"). Mr. Burton is a promiiieiit. American, who represented tho hlati!! (it Ohio for many years, first in I lie House of Representatives and Inter !•> Hie Senate. He is a Republican, and is n stalwart advocate of the League of i\at;ons Covenant being adopted by America without reservations, leaving jinv differences to be settled by the jKUfiie itself. Ho lias recently travelled through Japan and and he Eiyes the impression that ho could give inloriiiatioii on more important matters than mere travel. Ho staled that he hail desired to visit New Zealand for many years. The Dominion, with a comparalively small population, had attracted world-wide attention because of its social and political experiments. "I dn not iiiu! the policies of tho country ouite as radical as I had anticipated." ho said. "At the 6ame time natural advantages, such as abundance of laud, fertile soil, and mild climate, are sneli that other countries with a greater population and highly developed industries, could with difficulty accept its polices as a pattern to follow. There is certainly a very contented and stalwart oomilatinn here, and it is not at all surprising that New Zealand made such-an exceptional contribution in the winning of the war. T do not agree .with those who say that a racial type is developing here. You have a strong, self-reliant tconle. Idn not know how much influence is to be ascribed to the wonders of natural scenery which New Zealand' possesses. Sixty years ago there was a radiool of historians who maintained that, tho religious, political, and social life nf a people was determined by social conditions. Now Zealand bears some resemblance- lo the ancient States of Greece, lis physical surroundings are delightful —inspiring almost." Mr. Burton considered that for dairy products and stock-raising this country was superior to any he had ever visited, and probably to any in the world. To an outside observer the indications were that New Zealand would always be an agricultural country Pke tho Argentine Renublie. Referring to the adverse balance of trade which the British Empire suffers in regard to America, Mr. Burton said he. felt he was not well enough posted to express an opinion as to whether that balance would continue in favour of the United Stales. He anticipated that there would be a very large" demand in America for New Zealand wool. In' resnect to meat the United States had an enormous production, but at times it relied on other countries for supplies, and he believed that New Zealand would furnish meat, hides, and perhaps a certain onantity of dairy.products to the United States. At present she was scouring the world for hides and pelts.