MUCH IN COMMON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 11, 13 July 1938, Page 9

MUCH IN COMMON

NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH

AFRICA

The beauties of New Zealand and' many of the striking features of hiSj own country were commented upon by Mr. L. P. Van Zyl Ham, Secretary fori! Mines in South Africa, who, with Mrs., Van Zyl Ham, was guest of honours at a luncheon given by the English* i speaking Union, Wellington, yesterday. -, Mr. Van Zyl Ham said that it seemed j paradoxical for a Dutchman to address j an Eriglish-spe.aking Union. He hadj been agreeably surprised to find New* Zealand such a lovely place—a God-i made,country with unbounded natural, beauties in its broad, rich acres, forests, .rivers, and lakes. . New Zealanders i were fortunate to live in such sur-* roundings, free from droughts, carni-ii vorous animals, locusts,, and snakes; iii j a country. where they^could sleep oa * the ground free from any of the dan- '• gers present in South Africa.

The two countries were akin, how* ever, and New Zealanders going t& South Africa could easily be taken for. South Africans. Both countries had as national characteristics an independent spirit. South Africa offered a won* derful range of climate. The southeast coast was famous for its caves, i one of which was fully ten times the size of Waitomo. Ostrich."farming flourished just as did sheep farming ia this country. Manufactures had increased enormously, and it was quite true that the mining industry was the..■ greatest in the world. In the Witwatersrand, 50,000 Europeans and 500,000 natives were; employed in the , mines.

Large areas of coal were being kept for posterity. The Government also controlled the* diamond output. Diamonds were a good thing in that they, gave a country and its Government al great deal of money with which to> carry out improvements. The search, for diamonds.caused endless degradation among those who camefjfrbm all over the world to seek wealth in the fields. The racial problem caused little trouble, and happened only in politics and in the newspapers. In a hundred years or so there would be no Dutch, or English in South Africa. All would be South Africans.

The Hon." P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, speaking on behalf of the Government, expressed pleasure at having* such distinguished people from a neigh-* bouring Dominion in New Zealand. New Zealand hoped to have something on South Africa when oil was produced. The work of the Englishspeaking Union was a fine.one, as that English-speaking world was the bulwark of democtacy.

Mr. H. L. Cummins proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrsi Van.Zyl Ham, which was carried .unanimously* The club president, Dr. A. .Gillies*. and Mrs. Gillies, received the guests* Others present included the Hon. P. C* Webb, the Hon. W. and Mrs. Perry, Mr* and Mrs. A. H. Tyndall (Otago), Mr. Lowell Pinkerton, Mrs. Knox Gilmer* Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Glen, Mr. and Mrs* Leigh Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. R. G. C. Ffitch, Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Critchley, Mr. R. Boulter, Mrs. K. Preston, Mrs. Good, Mr. and Mrs. Murie, Mr. and Mrs. Nash, and Mrs.C..W. Charlesworth.