KEEN IMPERIALIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 278, 14 February 1928, Page 13

KEEN IMPERIALIST

LADY WOLSELEY ARRIVES MEMBER OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY AUTHOR AND TRAVELLER A staunch Imperialist is Lady Wolseley, widow of Sir Cape) Wolseley, Bart., a distinguished member of the old Saxon family of which the late Field-Marshal Lord Wolseley was a member. The Wolseley family was described as an “old family” when the Doomsday Book was compiled. i N arrival by the Maunganui this morning from Sydney, Lady Wolseley, is making her first visit to the Dominion. Hew Zealanders are not unknown to her, however, even if Lady Wolseley is not as yet acquainted with their country. As a matter of fact, she is particularly partial to New Zealanders, for she worked among many of our overseas troops when they were abroad, and. in common with so many other Englishwomen, extended them hospitality during the war years. “We always look upon them as the ‘whiteheaded boys of the Empire,” she said. Lady Wolseley received such a favourable impression of the attractions of the little Dominion in the Southern seas from her cousin, Lord Knollys, who was in Auckland two years ago, that she determined to make the trip. ROYAL FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS The Hon. Charlotte Knollys, the constant companion of Queen Alexandra until her death, is Lady Wolseley’s aunt and godmother, and is still living in London. The first Lord Knollys, private secretary to King Edward, and subsequently to King George, was of course her uncle. The Right Hon. Sir William Knollys, K.C.8.. her grandfather, was at one time Comptroller of the Royal Household. “I certainly think that English men —and women, too —should see as much as possible of the Dominions. The ignorance abroad among certain people in regard to this part of the world Is appalling,” declared Lady Wolseley, who has no mean record as a globetrotter, though this is her first visit to New Zealand and Australia. Prior to the war the late Sir Capel Wolseley, a member of the diplomatic service, and a skilled E rssian linguist, was at Archangel. Lady Wolseley made the trip out to the Far East in a tramp steamer. The Russian visit gave her a taste for travel which she has never attempted to subdue. For years she has roamed around the world, and knows America almost as well as her native England. “I think money would be far better spent visiting the Dominions and seeing for ourselves our vast Empire resources than on trips to Monte Carlo,” was her very emphatic submission. Australia amazed Lady Wolseley. To believe that so much had been accomplished in such a comparatively short space of time seemed well-nigh impossible. The future, she contends, holds a great deal for the Dominions beyond the seas. WOMEN SETTLERS That women with a certain amount of capital should leave England and settle In Australia is another of Lady Wolseley’s contentions. “I believe there are excellent opportunities awaiting women with a certain amount of money,” she says. "Our women showed what they could do in war years, and I feel certain that this class would do splendidly in Australia.” It is just possible that Lady Wolseley, who has engaged somewhat extensively in journalism—she was on the “Daily Mail” staff at one time during Lord Northcliffe’s regime—will convey some of her New Zealand impressions into print. She has three books to her credit, and is engaged on another during her present trip. But whatever she writes, the Imperial theme will be paramount. Lady Wolseley Is British to the backbone. "I am a great believer In the destiny of our Empire,” she says. “As a matter of fact," added Lady Wolseley, very thoughtfully, “it is the only free State in the world to-day.”