MODERN MEXICO

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1931, Page 8

MODERN MEXICO

VISITING CONSUL’S VIKAYS

CHURCH AND THE STATE

AVitli no serious interior disturbances since 1920, Mexico is blessed now with a stable Government and a progressive population. The condition oi the country and the reforms which have been carried into effect there during the past ten years and were being carried on by President Ing. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, wore sketched by Air Carlos Zalapa, Consul for Mexico in Australia and New Zealand, who arrived by the Afonowai on his wav to Sydney, where lie lias been stationed for the last two and a half years. The revolution in Alexico had cleared tilings up a good deal, said Air Zalapa, and the new generation was modern in outlook and not so dependent on church influences as formerly. Public instruction had been developed from 200 to 300 per cent, in the. last eight- years, and there were rural schools now even in the mountains. Primary education was compulsory and no child under the age of 14 could lie given employment. The country received the host immigration and Spanish was kept pure. Mexicans still considered Spain tip. mother country, and retained her language and habits. They were Fortunate in having a very good American colony, and their relations with the United States of America were friendly and prosperous, this being due to some excellent American appointments. Except for minor outbreaks in 1924 and 1927, perfect peace had reigned in the country since 1920. People were apt to blame the Government for the trouble which occurred between Church and State, hut Mr Zalapa believed that the Church was obliged to respect the Mexican Government and to do all that it was expected to do. He belonged to the church himself, and was not, therefore, speaking of the subject from an outsider’s point of view. The church, like any other organisation within the .State, could he properly expected to pay income-tax. The church had to abide bv the laws of the land.

Speaking of trade. Air Zalapa said that. Alexico was selling raw materils to Australia and New Zealand, principally bitumen and crude oil. Fibres and tobacco were also exported. From this part of the world Alexico bought wool and butter, freight from Australia working out at a cheaper figure than freight from New Zealand. This was due to a Canadian line, use of which involved onlv one transhipment between Australia and Alexico. Mr Zalapa has nominated Air Claude Batten, of Wellington, as Mexican Vice-Consul, and he honed that the Alexican Government would appoint him in order to increase trade between the two countries.

Although Mexico was getting hardly any Australian trade at all before Mr Zalapa reached Sydney a few years ago, she sold during the year ended June, 1930, nearly a quarter of a milKon pounds’ worth of exports. Mexico was buying tilings, too, which she used to buy in London.