ABOUT NEW ZEALAND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5309, 6 August 1928, Page 3

ABOUT NEW ZEALAND.

AN AMERICAN’S PRAISES. FINE PEOPLE, G.REAT SCENERY. “What,! have s|6en of New Zealand I have enjoyed immensely, and I think your’s is a wonderful little country, which reminds me of what California was 40 years agjo, said Di,Johnson, of Los Angeles, California, during the course of a conversation with a, Wellington reporter. Dr. Johnson, who is reported to be; on.e of the greatest authorities on taxat-on matters in the' United States of America, and-who is the chairman of the Boa|rd of the California T.a,x Payers’ Association;, is sight-seeing in New Zealand as rapidly as 'possible. u As I only arrived; Aucklandlast week-end by the Aorapgi,” ihe said, “and will be returning again'by the same ship at. the end of the month, I will not have very much time. My visit is purely one of pleasure, for 1 have always wanted to see’ your, country, which has the- lure of romance a.bout it.' Coming out on the steamer I met a, number of New Zealanders and Australians, and I can truly say that .the/ are delightful people—people who, in fact, seem to be more like, the American than any other ppople in the world.” DECREASING THE DEBT. , Talking about matters of taxation in America, Dr. Johnson said jjm.t there were two kinds —Federal taxation and State taxation. Befote the war the Federal Government, was getting about 60 per cent, of tne money and the local 40 per cent. Times, however, had changed, and 40 per cent, was now going to the Federal Government and 60 per cent, to the States’ local Governments. There was tremendous extravagance in local Government, Wnile th 6 Federal Government taxation had heen greatly reduced 1 as a result of thrift and a reduction of debt. “We are struggling to reduce the debt as quickly as possible', and the tax with it.” he said 1 . SKILLED AND COMMON LABOUR.: Speaking on the repayment for, labour, Dr. Johnson stilted that the common .labourer in, the United States did not get as much for his toil as thq common labourer ip New. Zealand (lid. On the other, hand the American skilled labour was paid higher •than the skilled labourer of the Do-

.minion . . the scenery of the Dominion Dr. Johnson said there was only one word to decribe it- “Wonderful . -The climate was very healthy and reminded him of the climate of iSoiithern' California. • One thing that Dr. Johnson cannot grip is the correct pronunciation «of Maori .names. When you try to ■.say them as they are spelt,” he said ■with smile, “you g-et all mixed up. I suppose it takes time to get used to them. The names n.re very musical though and have a njce sound.”