A WONDERFUL COUNTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 8

A WONDERFUL COUNTRY

NEW ZEALAND PB AIS ED,

Slit IT A PRY LAWYER SEES ADVANCEMENT.

CHRISTGI-IURCH, May 27

Enthusiastic praise of New Zealand was voiced by Sir Harry Lauder in an interview last evening with a representative of the “Lyttelton Times.” “if New Zealand was situated within a. thousand miles of Great Britain it would have a population of thirty millions,” lie said.

Sir Harry stated that since his visit hero four years ago, he noticed coniiderable advancement throughout the Dominion. He considered New Zealand had made remarkable progress, and was impressed with the building activity in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. 'Flic smaller towns in the North Island, Hastings, Hamilton nid Palmerston North, were all mak*ug rapid progress.

“SEE NEW ZEALAND FIRST.”

“My advice to New Zealanders is co ‘see New Zealand first,’ ” said Sir Harry. “Yours is a glorious country. It may be -equalled in some parts of die world, but never. surpassed. Jucenslown is the most’beautiful and ittraciivo place I have ever seen.”

Asked whether New Zealand seen->]-y bore any resemblance to that of •Scotland, Sir Harry thought that New Zealand ’scenery was wilder and more extensive than that in Scotland. The majestic hills were more attractive, ind the mountains and lake possessed v beauty all unto themselves.

Sir Harry was keen in his praise o' the hospitality of New Zealanders, -larticularly inhabitants of the hackblocks. He stated that he had reicwod friendships with several of l.'ir “old cronies.”

SUMNER A BEAUTIFUL RESORT’

Christchurch was a likeable anc 1 r-iiet city, possessing much of the -harm and dignity of English towns, he said. He had been to Sumner yesterday afternoon, and considered thn' he had never seen a prettier spot. Ir Sir Harry’s opinion, New Zealand audiences are similar to those in London, Liverpool and Glasgow. He had never noticed any coldness, hut rather thought people here wore easy to at--ract, provided the entertainment was good.

“A fisherman’s paradise” was the term applied to New Zealand by Sir Harry. His main reason for his tour of the Dominion was to fish, lie said. He had niet with some splendid sport fishing for rainbow trout in the Waikatt River.

GOOD HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

That the hotel accommodation of New Zealand was excellent in every way was the opinion of Sir Harry. H<considered the accommodation exceptionally good in view of the size of the country, and lie could not understand any criticism except from those who expected the hotels to be on the same scale as the leading American and Euronean hotels. Sir Harry also praised the railways and the general comfort of the travelling arrangements in the Dominion. “Your servicedrivers are on el of the wonders of tlv° world, and the way tljev handle the service buses on mountain roads b amazing,” ho said.

Sir Harry will he in Christchurch for only a week. TTe will leave thee for Dunedin and Invercargill, afte* which lie will tour the country towns. T:lo leaves New Zealand on dune 21. •'oimr to Australia ;.<r three or fo* weeks. Then he will make a lengthy hour of the United States and Canada.