NEW ZEALAND PRAISED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3851, 29 September 1928, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PRAISED.

KINGSFORiD SMITH ENTHUSIASTIC. Christchurch, Yesterday. Although he has been so much occupied since he came to New Zealand, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith did not mind leaving his lunch yesterday for a brief inter-view-with a representative of “The Press.” “We have had a wonderful time,” he said. “This is a great country and a fine people. The kindness of everyone has been overwhelming, and just as striking has been their enthusiasm for flying; but I can’t say more about that than I have said already several times.” Although he says Ihe physical features of the country —its long backbone of mountains —are a limitation to flying, at present he can see no reason why aviation within the Dominion should not greatly develop. “Canterbury, of course,” he said, “is the biggest clear area.” Blenheim impressed him very much. “There is a fine area there for taking off and landing, and the Blenheim people are very 7 keen indeed. Yes, there is sure to be a boom in flying here before long. “Regular services between Australia and New Zealand? No doubt some time, but it is two or three years off yet. I am coming back to Australia, but I must visit America first. I may visit New Zealand again some time.” “Are you going to live in America?” he was asked. “Oh, no, Australia is my home. I am going to America to see Captain Hancock, who gave us our machine.” “Yes,” he added in answer to another question, “I do like America. I like the American people. They are a fine and generous race. “Just now I am thinking more about New Zealand itself. 1 would like to say what I feel about this splendid Dominion —I have seen quite a lot of it, you know, and have met thousands of people, and seen and heard thousands more. I am going to boost it all I can one of the finest countries on earth.”