PASTORAL CHARM.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1925, Page 4

PASTORAL CHARM.

A CANADIAN'S TKIWTE. A CCK LAND. Aug. 21. The neat and prosperous appearam o I of the New Zealand countryside liats channed the Canadian delegation in the Cmpire Press party more than unyj tldng cl.se. .Mr ,1. Jl. Woods. ] resident of the Canadian section, emphasised 1 the point so often forgotten that Now j Zealand's appeal to tourist eyes lies It j not merely in what wo call scenic at--j tractions. Air Woods had mainly in 0 j mind the eastern districts of Canada . | when he made his statement. j “We have been greatly impressed,” i, j he said, “with the absolute beauty of r ; this country, which is such a contrast - | to the beauty of our own. except perI haps in the older districts of the east. ■’ ' The pastoral charm of the Waikato disI trict, through which we are now tra- . 1 veiling, strikes us with vividness. Look j at that neat, well-painted homestead, s its trees and the well-farmed nppoar- ' anee of the land. It is a wonderfully 1 attractive countryside, and explains to us in some measure why your agrieultural products have so great, a rcpti- -■ tation in our country. We hope to see s . more of this, because we want to tell - our people what we regard as superior : care in details of farming as compared with the looser methods of our own { country, particularly in the west. Our , great wheat farms lead to people con- - eentrating all their agricultural energies on one crop, often closing their ‘ eyes to the charm and profit of more diversified methods of farming. This, of course, does not apply to all the proI vinoes. Ontario is a highly cultivated country. ‘‘New Zealand strikes us as an agricultural gem. We enjoyed your thermal regions and your mountains, hut we have thermal activity in Canada, , and we have greater rivers and monnj tains. AVliat we want to profit from is i by meeting the people, seeing your ini dustry and learning the lessons of this ohn rm ing conn try side. Air Woods asked that the thanks of the Canadian delegation should be extended for what was proving a wonderful treat. It was a privilege to bring tlie greetings of Canada to New Zealand. which if not equal in size had potential greatness of a similar character. “And.” said Mr Woods “back of it all is tlie pride we feel in realising more vividly what the strength of the Empire is. It is thrilling to see Britain so well entrenched in the Southern Sous. Of course, we know it. hut knowing and seeing are very different tilings." Air Woods referred to the butter competition and remarked with a laugh that be was glad to see that Alberta (Canada) had succeeded in coming

fifty-fifth out of eighty-two. Our horse was hardly in the money, but what interests us most is the fact that the winning New Zealand factory .scored !)G.Ji points out of 100, and the fact that nothing below 90 points is counted first-grade butter in this country.” The distribution of electric power in the Waikato was referred to by Mr AA’oods, and he mentioned that in the western districts of Canada, where holdings were large, the difficulty of reticulation was much greater. ‘‘New Zealand and Canada should have a greater exchange in trade,” continued the speaker. “1 know that, Canada has a wonderful market here, particularly for cars, and it would he a good thing for both countries if there was a better balance. Thu fact that the .seasons are different ought to promote far greater trade in your produce to Canada. As a matter of fact. ] have eaten New Zealand potatoes and butter purchased in stores in Calgary. I am surprised that there is not a greater export of woollen goods to Canada. Your rugs are well-known to us. Before leaving Vancouver I wanted a rug, and the host 1 could buy was of New Zealand manufacture, f have used a Now Zealand rug in ray car at homo for years.” It was suggested that the mass production of tho l ititod States might

create competition in woollen goods which the New Zealand industry could not surmount, but Mr Words said that the measure of preference accorded British goods was a substantial advantage. Of course, Canada was in the sitriie predicament as New Zealand in regard to the mass production of the Cnitvd States. “Knowledge and sym pathy between ns cover a great deal however.*’ said .Mr Woods, “and that is a thing we i ced more than anything else on this earth, an active instead of a passive sympathy with one another's ] roblems. The Kmpiro Pres. l Conference is doing a great deal towards that. As it matter of fact, the oportunity it gives of < outset with the people of the Kmpiro is more important than the conference itself.” “Look at that neat homestead.’’ exclaimed Mr Woods, pointing out of the window. “The meticulous care of things. Yes. 1 have a great liking for this country. Your roads.” lie proceeded. “are one. of the things that can he eritci' ed. The tourist traffic industry, as Canada has realised, depends chieilv upon good roads and good hotels. Iluge sums are being expended in Canada upon roads, and the Federal Covernment is paying of) per cent, ii order to encourage a co-ordinated system of highways of input! merit.”