STRONG CRITICISM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1923, Page 1

STRONG CRITICISM.

OF NEW ZEALAND. SIR J. ALLEN’S PROTEST. " Wit, TIMES ” SUM VICK. LONDON, January 26. Very strong exception is taken by Sir Janies Allen to the report of the British Empire Exhibition Mission, which last year toured the Dominions, as far as ii relates to New Zealand. Interviewed, he declared the report i nt only exceeds its scope, but it casts grave, unwarranted reflections on the. resources of New Zealand. I have sent a copy to Air Massey and 1 am afraid it will have an unfortunate effect on Now Zealand’s attitude towards the Exhi-

bition. J understand the report was to be confidential, yet extracts have keen published in the London press. These include the statement by the agricultural adviser to the .mission that Richest land in New Zealand was worth only £.TO to ”10 sterling per acre. ThH statement was quite incorrect and «:• made apparently alter a fortn gbt’s stay in the Dominion. The fepoit further alleges that facilities mr grafting stock exist only on papoi, which is untrue; also that dairy production in New Zealand is far too low. The tigures quoted support the theory which is false. The report criticises the management ol New Zealand railways, which were stated to be inferior to that of ten years ago. The hotels 'Aero severely criticised. It is said there ia wide, gap between them and die average Canadian hotels. The .elation* between capital and labour is lengt - ly described and serious reflections aio cast on the Now Zealand employers. The report quotes well-known extremist utterances regarding the war as the authority. Sir ,J. Allen added—l dispute the accuracy ol lunch of the icport but. apart from its merits, what have criticisms ol New Zealand Railways, hotels, methods ol agriculture and labour conditions to do i the Empire Exhibition.