IN PRAISE OF ENGLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 5

IN PRAISE OF ENGLAND

WEALTH OF ATTRACTIONS.

PEOPLE TOO RETICENT

LONDON, June 26

As a rule, small satisfaction is to be derived from seeing ourselves as others see us, but this week a. distinguished man has been saying very kind things about our modesty as a nation and the beauty of our country.

Sir James Parr, late High Commissioner for New Zealand, in opening the Travel Association exhibition of posters and photographs of health and pleasure resorts at Hastings, declared: ' “The English are much too recitent about England. Why is it bad form for an Englishman to talk of his country ? Yet no other country can compare with England in human interest. But, foolishly, you do not tell the world what a wealth of attractions there are here. Take London. What a history has London ! ! What a world romance is here! Not merely in population is London the greatest city in the world. Where is there to be found a little park to equal the delicate beauties and inexpressible charm of St. James’s Park? Where in the world so splendid a lung ns Hyde Park. What country has such cathedrals such homes, both great and small ? As for England’s countryside in summer, nothing on earth quite equals its peculiar beauty. There is nothing on the Continent which makes such an appeal! Why not proclaim from the housetops the glories of Britain? Why be selfish and keep these tilings to yourselves? Share them with the world but, of course, at a price. Tn other words, advertise! Advertise! Advertise!” Tt is estimated that Britain derives only £]5.000,0(10 a year from tourist traffic, whereas France makes £75,000,000. But the French Government spends £300,000 a year in advertising, and Germany spends even more, while the British Government spends only £SOOO a year. It is proposed that the British Government should subsidise private subscriptions, pound for pound subscribed, up to say, £IOO,OOO, in addition to which the “Come to Britain” movement is yearly growing more active.