AN AUCKLANDER ABROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 717, 13 January 1903, Page 4

AN AUCKLANDER ABROAD.

INTEEVIEW WITH ME E, CALDWELL.

Among tho passengers from London by | he Corinthic to Wellington was Mr E. Jaldwell, one of the resident partners at Vucldund of the firm of Macky, Logan, iteen and Caldwell, warehousemen. Mr Caldwell took passage home by way if Canada and America some eleven nontbs ago for the purpose of obtaining ,he advice of a specialist, and he spent avo months in a largo private hospital at Slasgow, the management of which he lijnhly praises. Mr Caldwell’s many friends throughout the colony will be pleased to hear that his health has greatly improved by tho change of air and scene. During his visit to America Mr Caul well had several minutes’ interview with President Eooscvclt, whom he found to be well posted up in matters pertaining to our labor legislation. The President spoke very highly of the part taken by New Zealanders in tho South African war, though he laughingly said, “Of course, being a Dutchman, my sympathies were with the other side.” Mr Caldwell had conversations with other leading political lights in tho states, who enquired closely into our social and industrial connections, and, though they did not agree in detail with what New Zealand had adopted in the way of progressive legislation, yet gave a meed of praise to the wonderful advancement made by this young country. Mr Caldwell was greatly impressed with the up-to-date methods of the American arfeans compared with those whom he saw in Great Britain. He found that both tho American manufacturers and their workmen adopted a policy of cohesion, so as to turn out a superior article. They were strongly imbued with a feeling of patriotism in this direction, whereas there was not tho same feeling of pride on tho part of many of tho artissans in the Old Country, the latter preferring to take matters moro leisurely than their energetic cousins across the Atlantic. From his observations and enquiries, Mr Caldwell is couvinced that it is mainly a matter of time when tho Labor party will prove tho dominant powev in the American political world. Their consolidation and organisation will undoubtedly be wielded in tho direction of dictating to whichever party, Democrat or EcpublicaD, grants them the best terms. This has been foreseen by the greatest loaders in America.

In regard to Canadians, Mr Caldwell could not speak too highly. They were intensely loyal in their devotion to the Motherland, and New Zealanders could not reach their level. This patriotic devotion, and a hospitable and sociable nature, is characteristic among all classes of the community. They extend a warm welcomo to strangers, and ho (Mr Caldwell) would ever havo tho pleasantest recollections of his acquaintance with theso charming people. The country had imuicuso resources, and those at the head of affairs of the country y/cro leaving no stono unturned in pushing the interests of the Dominion. The Canadian High Commissioner, who was the right man in the right place, resorted to every method in advertising his country’s resources and holding them prominently under the eyes of strangers ; and, after seeing him and his system, Mr Caldwell is convinced that Now Zealand will never secure tho full benefits of Home and foreign markets unless she has as an agent-general a man with a thorough commercial training. Canada has taught New Zealand a lesson iu this respect, aud the sooner the Government of this country awake to the neeessitv of having a commercial man who thoroughly understands' his business to represent this colony in the Motherland the better it will be for her aud her people. Mr Caldwell referred to the great strides mado by Canada in her manufacturing industries. Though hitherto regarded mainly as an agricultural country, she was now being provided with manufacturing establishments of an almost incredible magnitude, and was proving a most formidable competitor to the United States in tho supply of goods, boots, etc. The north-west' of the Dominion was being thickly populated, principally by Americans, though the authorities were offering the most liberal inducement to their English cousins to emigrate to their shores. Tho Vancouver service found great favor with tho Canadians, and was well spoken of by those whom Mr Caldwell came' in contact with. Ho thinks that trade between the Dominion and New Zoaland is likely to reach largo dimensions.

; When Mr Caldwell visited England i eleven years prior to his recent visit, ho ; found that English people regarded a New . Zealander with something like contempt, and cared very little whether he came from Maoriland or Timbuctoo. ThiDgs were changed now, the great part played by our colonials at the front having comi pleteiy cleared away the mist before the > eyes of the British public, who now rei garded their kinsmen across the sea as i somobody to admire and welcome. Con- ‘ verging with t)ioso who had visited the ' ' ----u'af &ep/See]and, Mr Cgjdtourist rcow. ' —of well found nothing but praise sp. their grandeur, tho hotel accommodation, and tho general arrangements made by the Tourist Department for tho reception of visitors ; Botorua and tho Southern Lakes were described as enchanting spots It is tho distance which prevents many tourists from visiting these parts, while steamer rates ara deemed somewhat excessive. But for these drawbacks, Mr Caldwell is couvinced that our undeniably attractive resorts would do visited by greater numbers. 'Said Mr Caldwell: “If New Zealaud wore only as far from Great Britain as is tho Argentine, or South Africa, we would bo flooded with visitors intent on seeing tho wonderlands of this young country, and of which they have heard so much about from their more fortunate friends.” On the butter question, Mr Caldwell says that the colonial commodity was well spoken of everywhere, and ho thinks its trade prospects are of the highest. In conclusion, Mr Caldwell assured your representative that rail, steamer, and hotel expenses were less in New Zealand than in Great Britain and America, a statement which, on the face of it, seems somewhat startling, but which, as Mr Caldwell says, can be vended by personal experiences. Mr Caldwell temains here for about a week on business, principally connected with the large warehouse which his dim arc creeling on the historic. By ko corner, and then returns to Auckland.—Star.