VERY COMFORTABLE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 7

VERY COMFORTABLE

SHAW AS A CELEBRITY

VISITOR INTERVIEWED

IMPRESSIONS OF TOTJ&

(By Telegraph—Presa Association.) KOTORUA, March 26. "I have no intention of writing an advertisement for "every place I visit," said Mr. George Bernard Shaw, when an . interviewer asked him what. he thought of Rotoruai Mr. Shaw had then just completed a tour of the scenic region of Tikitere, and with a wave of his hand described it as "the most damnable spot I have ever visited," • adding that he would willingly have paid £10 not to have seen it. ' ' .••■■•■■ During his stay at Kotorua Mr. Shaw has /visited most ■ spots of thermal and scenic interest. He has refused to receive callers, cards, and telephone messages/ and gave an'instruction that;he will be communicated with only by letter. ~ Mr. Shaw was submitted a list of written questions, the first of which' was: "What does it feel like to be'a celebrity in a country that is not used to them? comfortable indeed, thank you," was Mr. Shaw's reply. "I am haying a. sort of royal progress, overwhelmed with hospitality, guidance, and .practical assistance, official and unofficial, from every quarter. I seem to be the most popular stranger in the. Southern' Hemisphere. I had'no idea that New Zealanders were such good Shavians." If there was a;note of irony in the last sentence it can well be overlooked in the' sincerity; of the remainder. From' his comments to friends and . acquaintances here Mr. Shaw has shown plainly that he does appreciate the reception that has been given him. in New Zealand. CURING WORLD'S TROUBLES. , The second question was: Do you think that the world's troubles will be cured by direct action, reaction, or Parliamentary, action.1!" ■ This was Mr. Shaw's reply: "The world's troubles can [the woird "will" was crossed out] be cured-only by long and laboured social reconstruction, by thinkers and workers religiously, devoted to the general welfare, and ruthlessly intolerant of idleness and', waste. The ways in which these workers will achieve thfe necessary conquest of political power will vary according- to circumstances. Changes which have been made peacefully and reasonably in New' Zealand have been made violently arid, even ferociously in other parts of the Empire. Auniform method for the world is impossible."

: •' The third question concerned itotorua, and was put with' some inward qualms in view of Mr. Shaw's disinclination to write an advertisement. It was possible that Eotorua might receive something that was in another category, but Mr. Shaw was kind; although- his impressions of the breezes of Tikitere and "YVhakarewarewa still plainlylingered. : "Eotprna is- an ■ uncommonly pleasant place, though it smells of brimstone liko'Hades,*' he replied. "It'has extraordinary ■ natural curiosities to •" show ;in"stead;.of-^■manufactured ■ attractions,whicfc- are the -stock-in-trade -of-most iarthly paradises and their guide books, but I had "better not mention any feature in particular. Local jealousies must be respected." "A civni roLK." The nest question was: Do you think that we need a code of bad manners to stimulate thought among the elect? ... . . "No. Civilisation is dying of sheer bad manners, calling themselves religion, politics, patriotism, and all sorts of ■ fine names. Good manners are supremely important in society,". Mr. >Shaw replied. "By the way, you seem to be a civil folk in New Zealand, so you need not take my reply as aimed specially at these islands." i.' . Do! you think- that in New Zealand culture- is dominated by agriculture?' was the fifth question. '>-' . "Yes," replied Mr. Shaw. "I am Marxist'enough, to believe that culture is to a great extent' a mathematical product 'of •industry, but agriculture nowadays is-not all one thing. A peasant agriculture produces primitive culture ;■ . agriculture as Lord Bledisloe understands it involves .a very high degree of culture, both political .and scientific." , . \1\ : Mr. Shaw was next asked what he thqught of the average New Zealander's pronunciation of/English. Mr. Shaw,- it will be remembered, was re-cently-appointed with others to give addresses for the 8.8.C. on the proper , pronunciation'of. English. "X think the average New Zealander's pronunciation of English1 is better than average English spceeh," he said, "but then it'could hardly be, worse. New. Zealand voices are notably pleasanter .than urban British, ones."The seventh question is:one on which Mr. Shaw .will possibly be: most taken to task.;HV;was 'reminded-that'in v:one of his earlier novels Major Barbara; one of his characters! 'had claimed.that ;poyerty was something to :"be ashamed' of,: and he was asked whether-under ; th"6 presenj; world conditions he considered .that this.stilt held.good. ••? ";.'■•*'•• --\ '•"It still holds> good," he replied.. "Poverty is.a crime- of society far more mischievous than., murder, theft, arson, rapine, or any other breach of the Ten Commandments andthe criminal code." ' "WATCH AND PEAY." .•Do you think that in this country we are likely to avoid any. of the-mistakes of :the older lands? was the next question. ■ . ■-■■ r i■,.■■", ■~ :■.,;'.-. ;" ".. ; . The' reply -was very typical but encouraging: ./'You 'have, already-avoided some of ,themj.but don't get-cone'eiied about it. Xou.will- commit: thomj all. yet unless ;2rou .watch and pray.'>,;"; - The next question., was on aVubjcct upon which Mr. Shaw's views, will be of particular interest. He was-asked whether he considered that there, lyill be another .war upon a large scale within the. next ten years. '^1-doubt it," ho replied. "The war 0f.191^-18-reduced itself to an absurdity;'technically 'and politically. It produced; results which were the very last that its makers ever contemplated or desired.. Recent experiments in London • demonstrated that.an attack by air with poiß6n.gas could not be repelled, which iheans that London would.have to surrender to such an; attack, so would Wellington and Auckland; and so would TolHo. A Napoleonic war under such conditions is impossible." ; . '.■■.'

■ The: last question was: Why did you select New Zealand for-your holiday? "Why shouldn't. I?" ■he replied. "What is wrong with New. Zealand?"

While-working at >fo. 4 berth on the Queen's Wharf yesterday afternoon J. Hendry, a waterside worker, of 85 Ghuznce Street, was struck by a sling of iron and received injuries to his back. He was taken to the Hospital by the Free Ambulance.'

Permission was given at yesterday's meeting of the City Council for the Smith Family 'to screen a sacred picturfe on Good Friday, providing, no charge was made for admission. • '