THE HOMELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1924, Page 1

THE HOMELAND.

A MIUGHTKH OUTLOOK

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1

The lien Edward Newman, M.L.C., returned to New Zealand to-day from his trip to the Mother Country. lie noticed "rent rli.iiyt's .since he was last there—just before the war. He says that ill spite of the fact that there are reported to lie a million and a quarter unemployed, there is less sign of poverty in England now than there ever was before or, at least, than there was in 1011. The working classes certainly have much more money to spend limn at ally previous period.

In London and in all the I a rite r cities which be visited,’ Mr Newman said that business seemed 1,, be extraordinarily brisk, and in shops in -Ueh sheets as tlie Strand it was almo-t impossible to net attention, and the streets were so crowded that to go beyond a slow walk was quite impossible. The trail'llin London had now reach,',l a point that was causing great anxiety io the authorities. In such places as I rafulgur Square and the .Mansion House corner at certain lumrs ol tile day Ihe streets were completely blocked, sometimes for ten minutes to a quarter <>r an hour at a time.

"The farming industry,” remarked Mr Newman, “appeared to he in n worse state than any other in England, and unless some relief is "iron to the farmers a "nod many id them "ill liud it diliieult to make ends meet. \Yu yes in all other industries, except farming. have increased yreatlv since before till' war, and without doubt the standard of liviny has yreatlv improved compared with what it was in 11)1-1.

• I think it may be said without doubt,” remarked Mr Newman, “that New Zealand is the favourite Dominion with Enylisli people. One had only to mention that one came from New Zealand to receive kindness and to have all doors opened to him.”

Dtiriity a period ol three months, mostly in London, Mr Newman yatliored I lie impression that aiuony the hardest-worked men in England was his Majesty the Kiny, and the same miylit lie said of the whole I loyal family. There appeared to be no eigllt--1 iimrs’ work at Miickinyliam Palace. The Mritisli Empire Exhibition at Wembley was a marvellous siyhl and the crowds were iiverwhi'liuiny. To see the Exhibition even .superficially, a fortnight was the very least time that would lie required. The exhibits in the New Zealand Court, especially the dairy produce and meat and wool, wen yreatlv admired, and the ( ourt was always crowded with people. 'ln yet a meal ul any kind one had to stand in a queue probably for ball an hour beforehand.

Everywhere Mr Newman beard comments on the splendid behaviour „f our men diiriuy the war and when on leave in London. ‘There is no doubt,” ho said, “that has hail a yond deal to do uitli the admiration which the people of Enyland have yen,'rally for New Zealand and for New Zealand colonists.” With royaid to produce Mr N,".i mail said the prospects tor wool and meat and dairy products appear to I, ; ,nl. Ii "as y,morally anticipated Hint wool Mould be more likely I" rise In it her than to fall within the near future.