THE FRENCH MISSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3480, 7 May 1920, Page 5

THE FRENCH MISSION.

VIEWS ON NEW ZEALAND.

AN INTERVESTING REP[)B’l‘.

“New Zealanders are by tL‘l!lp‘3l'.‘lnient neither expansive nor. demonstrative. They are British, with the tish element strongly represented. The climate . . . . does not eonduee lo a light-hearted, out-of—door life. Like their parent stock of Great Britain, they are cool, reserved,‘and serious. Their feelings, however, are all the deeper for it.” That, in brief, is the French Mission’s estimate of New Zealanders, whose hospitality and friendliness 'LI'O discussed in more flattering detail In the report of General Pan and his coileagues, who early last. year spent a happy month touring the Dominion. They note, with lively appreciation New Zealand’s warm sentiniént towards France, and speak eloquently of the Dominifon’s soldiers and famous exploints and enterprise in the Great War. It is the earnest desire of the Mission to see “the friendliness \\'lll.3.‘l resides in the hearts of New Zeal.anders translated into action in the - lays of peace.” The value of the Dominion’s War service for France is acknowledged with grace and without stint. “Egypt, the Dardanelles, and the awful, but glorious battlefields of our front in France have known these magnificent soldiers, ivho were not only expert athletes and irresistible fight.ers, but also light-hearted men, eager to relieve suffering, whose pulses- thrilled forthe great principles they were upholding. Many of them now iie sleeping their last sleep on French soil. We hope—riay, we know——that France will never forget it.”

The I'epol't dealt concisely with agl'icllltural production and ‘the conditions under which it is produced, allied industries, mineral and industrial production, and Franco-New « Zealund trade. On the lastqnentioned subject the smallness of the volurne of »-trade between the two countries in tlie past is discussed in gentle sorrow. In addition to” varied adverse conditions and circumstances, there have been faults on the Frenchside; particularly of omission. There has been no advertising of French products. “The secret of the success of the‘ Germans, and since the war of Americans and Japanesc, lies in the fact that they did well all that we neglected’ to;-do. But now the circumstances have altered, and We have good cards in our ‘hand. ' The prestige‘ of France the Victorious has radiated cverywlrere. Hence'f_orth" we cannot be called unknown.” Considerable space is naturally given to the scope of trade between France and New Zealand. The report should be in the hands of every business man and trading organisation. .- _'