THROUGH OTHER EYES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3895, 15 January 1929, Page 4

THROUGH OTHER EYES.

NEW ZEALAND AND ITS PEOPLE. A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. An interesting visitor to the Dominion at present is Sir Hugh Poyliter, chairman of the Australian branch of a well-known English firm of' fhon and steel manufacturers. Sir Hugh, who is making a combined pleasure and business visit to New Zealand, lias been in the Dominion only a month, and yet during his journey from Auckland he has been a keen observer, and has already formed many interesting impressions of the country and the community. “One thing that struck me,” he remarked to an Otago Daily Times reporter, “is the air of prosperity which is evident everywhere, and of all our colonies New Zealand appears to me to be .the best suited from every point of view for immigration. Our roads, Sir Hugh considered, were wonderful, especially in view of tho relatively small population, and he was astonished to find so many excellent lines of service cars running to the outlying districts not served by the railways. The railway service appeared to be a particularly efficient one, and although, perhaps, some of the rolling stock and plant might require a lick of paint here and there the trains ran well.

The hotel accommodation, even in the smaller centres, was a matter of surprise to him, and lie was particularly struck with the extraordinary kindness and attention lie had received wherever he had stayed. Asked what ho thought of the business prospects in New Zealand for 1929, Sir Hugh said that since his arrival in the country he had met some 50 prominent business men, and the concensus of opinion was that business was decidedly on the upward trend and \ that this year would be a good one. In England most of the large manufacturing firms, particularly in the iron and steel line, had "gone through a bad time, but business was being established again, and conditions were gradually returning to normal. He deplored the fact that so many visitors who had recently returned from the Old Country had thought fit to paint the economic situation there in such dark colours. They had probably not been given glowing accounts of the state of business, and laid promptly come to the conclusion that England was going to the dogs. Englishmen, Sir Hugh said, rarely waxed very enthusiastic. If they said that business had not been very bright, they probably meant that they had had a' very good year, and as a matter of fact, there was every indication that British industries were gradually regaining the position they occupied before the war. With New Zealand and its scenic beauties, Sir Hugh Poynter is charmed. “I can imagine nothing more delightful,” he remarked, “than a couple, of months amongst your lovely mountains and lakes, and later I intend to bring my car over and explore them thoroughly.” Tile hospitality and kindness of the people have also won the visitor, who stated that before he came to New Zealand he had met many New Zealanders, and he could not remember meeting one whom he did not like. “Two of your countrymen especially,” 'lie told 'the reporter, “I consider to be outstanding. They are

Allen Mulgan, whose charming hook ‘Home’ is a most moving appreciation of England, and Noel Ross, who has also written delightfully in praise ol the Motherland.”

Sir Hugh Povnter, who is a son of .the eminent artist. Sir Edward Poyntor, is also a cousin of Mr Rudyard Kipling and of the present Prime Minister of Engla/.J, Air Stanley Baldwin. Ho lias had a distinguished carter. For some years lie was a member of the Ottoman Department Administration, but on the outbreak of war lie resigned and joined the army, serving for four years in France. After the war he became the agent of an English firm in Paris, and later, president of the firm’s Canadian organisation. Returning from Canada to London, ho was sent to Australia in a similar capacity.