AN IMPRESSION OF AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1926, Page 4

AN IMPRESSION OF AUSTRALIA

DEVOTION TO SPORT. AUCKLAND, May 19. To study social and economic conditions in Now Zealand in particular and the position of the Dominion in Pacific problems generally is the mission of a Dutch Indy. Airs Woesuia, who arrived by the Uliinnron. Airs Weesmnis a member of the; staff of a Dut'-ii paper in Java, and at tlie instanso of that journal, and a group of newspapers in Holland she is visiting all the countries bordering on the Pacific. Part of her mission is to seek informition concerning migration and. the possibility of developing trade between Java and the countries she is visit-

Austrnlia was the first ol the Pacific lands to be studied by Mrs VVoesma, and she had some pertinent observalions to m ake on the Commonwealth when interviewed to-day. She found Australians kind, but in a manner superficial and lacking in leaders possessed of ideals. Australian women were as cleg!nit as Parisiennes, she said, but were inclined to be too much wrapped u]) in social lile. She doubted the necessity for organised charity work, in which many of the women found an outlet for their energies.

The devotion of the Australians to sport also impressed the visitor. “I like sport of all kinds and think it should be encouraged,” said Airs Weosm'i, “but in Australia it seems to Lc overdone. Every day there are pages and pages of sporting news in the papers when there are really much better things'to .discuss. Perhaps this devotion to sport and social life- may account in a measure for the absence of great ideals. Average intelligence in Australia is higher than that in Eu rope, but in ideals Europe is higher, and Australia, il' it is to become a ration must* have ideals.”

Turning to the trade aspect of her visit, Mrs Weesma said that Java v as ready to take meat, tinned milk and dairy produce from Now Zealand, but before any such trade could develop a direct service between the two countries was essential. Australia had such a service and fairly extensive business

was being done. Mrs Weesiu.i will spend about, three days- in Aukland, and will ’then go south, staying on the Dominion for about a month. She then returns to Australia. ' .