A Visitor to Now Zealand

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1922, Page 4

A Visitor to Now Zealand

MR C. W. E. HARRISON’S IMPRESSIONS. LONDON, Jan. 10. Since his visit to New Zealand in the early part of 1921 which was purely ol a holiday nature, Mr C. \Y. E. Harrison, of the Eederation of British Industries, lias been in South Africa on an official four, and he lately returned to London. Mr Harrison was previously Trade Commissioner for Natal before the Union was established, and lie subsequently served for a time as ActingTrado Commissioner for the Union. While in South Africa he contributed a short article to a local magazine in wliijch he referred to New Zealand “as a land of infinite delight. A land of entrancing natural beauties and climate ... It has its mountains, its fiords, its Iceland snow, its lakes and plains, its forests and woods and the richest pasture land south of the line. It has its infernal region also, [t is not an un-

happy experience to visit Ftades, and bathe in tho velvety sulphurous waters of ‘Rachel’ and ‘The Priest,’ and other steaming springs—all for ninepence! The New Zealanders are a people of strong character, abounding in charm and kindliness; a type all their own. New Zealand is supremely democratic and superbly loyal to the Crown. It takes a very high place amongst the nations of the world for its humanitarian enactments, progressive industrial movemeats, all designed to secure the utmost well-being of its people. New Zealand is unsurpassed in the distinctive qualities of national morality, thrift, hard work and practical cooperation, the latter covering a vastfield of concerted effort. Its politics are. for the most part pure; its l education the most advanced of any of the Dominions, and is inhabitants the proud est, simplest and most contented people one can find anywhere. The agriculturist, and stockman are the backbone of the country. . . Tlte only disappointing thipg about New Zealand is its railway equipment- The carriages are archaic and uncomfortable. With the same gunge of track ae the South African railways (3ft-. 6in.) our rolling: stock and general service are infinitely superior.” In a letter to me Mr Harrison expressed the view that the few impressions he gave to this magazine are “all too meagre for so beautiful and enter-

prising a country.” He further says: “New Zealand, to the person who is prepared to work hard, and has not been domestically spoilt by the dusky 'fetcher and carrier’ ot all things is a country in which fife is a profitable, clean, and wholesome joy.” Like all travellers, however, Mr Harrison is very glad to be back in'; the Homeland, and this is how he expresses himself: “It is good to visit and revisit the other Dominions, and note the advancement made in a decade and a half—and it has been very marked. Hjit ,after alj, when the present clouds of depression have rolled away, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the rest caat offer us nothing richer or nobler, or more satisfying, or more promising as countries to work in. arid abide in than this magnifioent land in which we live.”