"GOD’S OWN COUNTRY.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1550, 13 May 1916, Page 4

"GOD’S OWN COUNTRY.”

Judging by the following glowing references let New Zealand which appear in a recent issue of the British Architect the appellation, “God’s Own Country” is not misapplied to the Dominion ;—New Zealand has been conspicuous amongst all the world-wide response to the Empire’s need. Not only has that response been instant and whole-hearted, but the quality of men she has sent into our lighting lines Ims never been beaten. With its unique natural resources, its increasing revenue, and its splendid national spirit, the Dominion of New Zealand seems to lie marked out for a distinguished and prosperous future. It comprises nearly the area of the United Kingdom, and as that small area of the world’s surface has gradually gathered round it the greatest Empire lo t he world, we need be surprised at nothing which this young Dominion will accomplish, •fkv pre-

sent High Commissioner, who has just received the honour of ;r title, is now to ho known as Sir Thomas Mackenzie. New Zealand approaches as nejirly as ■ one can imagine to an ideal land. It has tho lowest death rate in the world. You can live there in an ideal climate all the year round in an atmosphere clear and good, neither too hot nor too cold. Neither in summer or in winter are the annual or diurnal extremes of temperature such its to cause anything more than temporary unpleasantness. Though it is nearly as large its the United Kingdom (six-sevenths), its population is only ji little over a million, whilst votes are accorded to nearly half that number, including women. Moreover, its inhabititnts may marry their deceased wife’s sister or their deceased husband’s brother ! New Zealand possesses some of the finest scenery in the world (it may be truthfully called ji scenic paradise), and it has seven national parks, the. smallest of which is 17,000 acres in extent, and the largest 2,508,300 acres. It also has tine glaciers, lakes, and navigable rivers. There are hundreds of miles of troul-Hsh-ing and red deer and featheredgame shooting. It contains more thermal springs than any country in Europe, some varieties quite unknown in Europe, and some unique in the world. Its mineral springs comprise almost every known variety used for medical purposes. The value of the natural mineral resources is great. Gold to the value of over eighty-two millions' was obtained up to the end of 1913, nearly a million and a-half havingbeen got that year. Kauri-gum is also a valuable commodity, and Ims next to gold, contributed most largely to the revenue of New Zealand from minerals. A great variety of beautiful and durable buildingsi ones are found. There is admirable building timber in the Dominion. The kauri, obtained in great lengths jind up to great widths, is used for general building purposes, joinery, and cabinetmaking ; rimu, commonly called red pine, with handsome markings, a strong and

durable timber, used for general building purposes, etc. ; lotara ami iiialai (called black pine), for general building- use ; akeakc, pukatea, towai, rewarcwa, and miro, used for cabinetmaking ; and several other varieties of use for poles, bridges, wheelwright work, etc. The above items form a. collection of national assets of a kind rarely excelled and nowhere surpassed.