SEEING BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 10

SEEING BRITAIN

OBSERVATIONS BY MR J. M. FRASER PEACE TIME ACTIVITIES “ There won’t be any war; don’t you worry.” That was the assurance given to Mr J. M. Fraser rjght up to the time he left England a few weeks ago. And it was not only the man in the street who gave this assurance, but bankers, men in official positions, and other's who were regarded as being “ in the know.” But war came. However, Mr Fraser saw quite a lot of the English people and English life before that calamity occurred, and ho has come back more proud than ever of bein<T a Britisher. This feeling has been induced by the wonderful calmness and confidence, the, sound common sense of the race. THE ORDERLY BRITON. An example of this and balance was quoted to a ‘ Star ’ reporter by Mr Fraser. He and Mrs Fraser visited Hyde Park on May Day. People of all sorts, sizes, and nationalities were pouring into the park from every side. Among them were Indians, Chinese, negroes, but the vast majority were just plain Britishers. On the stump were members of Parliament and others, talking, talking, talking; pointing out sins of commission and omission by those who did not share the speakers’ views. The great crowd listened; some voiced approval in a moderate way, others shrugged, still others smiled. There was not the slightest disturbance or excitement, and the few policemen dotted about had an easy time. When the speeches were over the crowd simply melted away —perhaps to think it over, perhaps to forget all about it. Mr Fraser commented on the orderliness to a police sergeant, who remarked: “Oh, bless you, sir, they don’t need keeping in order; if a stray chap gets a bit over the odds wo just give him a kick in the pants and tell him to get out.”. Incidentally. Mr Fraser mentioned that during the whole of his stay in England he saw only two drunken persons, and thesd, strangely ‘enough, were a couple of -women who were indulging in an “ all-in ” fizht at Epsom Downs on Derby Day. Mr Fraser remembered that day well, because he hacked the Derby winner, Blue Peter. BUSINESS MEN FROM DUNEDIN. Mr Fraser, of course, met many other New Zealanders iu London, i In the, business world they • were prominent, particularly in the matter of bringing the Dominion’s primary products before the manufacturers and public. In this department Mr H. Turner, Mr R. S. Forsyth, Mr H. Dqvis, and Mr S. F. Arthur were outstanding. It is interesting to note, by the way, that all these gentlemen come from Dunedin, and it is recognised that each is doing his job well. There are many ways in which the buyers’ interest is captured. One method adopted by the wool representative vis to hold manililkin parades 'in order to demonstrate' the ninny sartorial uses to which wool may be put. And, said Mr Fraser, it is surprising to note that some woollen garments are quite as attractive in appearance as silk. One series of parades extended over a week, and upwards of 800 buyers viewed it. USES FOR WOOL. There was a campaign being carried on just before the outbreak of war to introduce woollen fabrics as a substitute for leather in motor car manufacture, and this was beginning to be successful. The co-operation of English sheep famous was being sought in this. The outbreak of war will have checked the campaign, of course, but good work had already been accomplished. OUR LAMB THE BEST, New Zealand butter, lamb, andi fruit wore also being kept prominently before the British public by extensive advertising, and were freely recognised as being of high quality. Mr Fraser remarked that he and his family had tried all kinds of moat while in England, but New Zealand lamb excelled everything. The Dominion representatives organised displays of moat by butchers, prizes being awarded for the most attractive display. The Meat Board Was endeavouring to get the butchers to particularise when placing placards outside their shops; to announce “We sell New Zealand meat” instead of “we sell Empire meat.” Many already do this. AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. Argicultural shows naturally attracted Mr Fraser’s close attention, he being president of the Otago A. and P. Society. The English shows are immense affairs, and at Edinburgh Mr Fraser was informed that a sum of £IO,OOO had been spent in preparations before the gates were opened. Her© big features were the splendid Clydesdale horses and l the' Polled Angus cattle. In England hunters and shorthorns were among the finest exhibits. One of the most interesting exhibits, said Mr Fraser, was that of the pit ponies which had been brought from mines all over the Kingdom. These ponies, which were in beautiful condition, wore of various sizes, those from Northumberland being quite large, while the Welsh specimens were small. The size of the ponies varies with that of the seams in the mines. The attendants 11*110 looked after these wee beasts wore obviously very fond of them, and strenuously denied the suggestion that pit ponies were blind. One pony which Mr Fraser saw was 27 years old, had been a pit worker for 23 years, and was still fit and well. At the Royal Show there is anoverseas department, where information is cheerfully given to overseas visitors and arrangements made for their convenience. Tho day of Mr Fraser’s visit there were people there from Rhodesia, all tho Australian States, Trinidad, Singapore, New Zealand, and other parts of tho Empire. Lord atid Lady Rledisloe were present, and asked particularly if there were any New Zealanders there On five Dominion icsidents being introduced. Lord and Lady Blcdisloe chatted brightly with them until Lord Bleclisloe had to depart in order to dine with the King. “ I look upon New Zealanders,” said . his Lordship. “ns my special friends.” Mr Fraser visited France, where ho was impressed with the wide areas under cultivation, and returned home via Canada. He is glad to he back, but feels the cold after roraing through the tropics. Summer —and the cricket season —is coming, however, says the ex-president of tho Otago Cricket Association.