THE OLD LAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1920, Page 3

THE OLD LAND.

SOUND AT HEART

An English visitor writing to a Christchurch paper says:— I am at present on a visit to New Zealand from the Old Country, and I should like to know in what way conditions at Home differ from those obtaining here to-day, with the exception of the shortage of butter? Here in New Zealand there is a shortage of coal, and in Wellington a shortage of sugar. Political, financial, and labour unrest are as pronounced here as in the Old Country. Your trains, boats, hotels, etc., are i just as crowded. I could not get a room in Wellington for love or money. I am getting quite used to hauling my luggage about at stations. I hauled all my own baggage both on and off the .Maori when the firemen went on strike. Whilst on the question of strikes, I am led to understand that there is to bo quite a big strike in a few weeks time.

I believe in calling a “spade a spade and it will take a lot to convince me that conditions are but little better “in good old Now Zealand,” except in the matter of one or two items of food, than they arc tit Home. The Old Country is struggling to put her house in order after her stupendous war effort, an effort which cannot be appreciated by the happy people of these islands, so far away from the scenes of war. Lot all go Homo who want to go Home, and they will find that England stands where she did.

inconveniences exist, I admit, but in view of what has happened in the last few years, the conditions at Home are marvellous.