A Talk With Roosevelt.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 142, 20 June 1904, Page 4

A Talk With Roosevelt.

THE PRESIDENT THROUGH NEW ZEALAND EYES. „ (Evening Post Correspondent.) ' WASHINGTON, May 7. To-day I talked with Theodore Roosevelt, President ol the United States of America. The privilege was a high compliment to my country. I found that the President knew more about New Zealand tham any American I had yet met, and what he did not know he was anxious to learn. He wanted to hear about our labour legislation, old age pension scheme, women's franchise, the Maoris, land laws, and, generally, all about the conditions of life in New Zealand. "Do you know I am intensely interested in your country '?" ho said. "I should very much like a visit to New Zealand, not only to see for myself tho effects of your very radical legislation—a form of State socialism it might also be called—but also to see your wonderful scenery." Tho President was particdlorly desirous to know more of the Maoris, and expressed himself as delighted to find that the prospects of the perpetuation of this fine race were so bright. On my roforeneo to the high social position held by the moro cultured Maoris in our colony, he put the pointed question, "Do you think they will eventualry intermingle with tha white race ?' ! a question that wai obviously difficult to answer. i Tho President showed the keenest interest in tho efforts New Zealand' has made to solve the labour problem, and desired fo know what disposition there was on the part of .Australian States to follow our lead.

His own sympathies in Hie present industrial position he thus sums up :. "Portiomally I do not like the conditions which tend to the Accumulation of large fortunes by a small section of the population, but fortunately, we arc called upon to face the problem not as one would like it, -but as it is.'' ''What are your laws with rogurd to the introduction' of aliens ?'' was asked by the President. After these bad Ijot explained he expressed a desire to have a copy oi our immigratHon laws, •■'for," said he, " I look' upon the laws which determine tho future character of the working population of amy country as vastly more important than the present industrial position." "So the Maoris speak Knglish ? That is capital," he said, and with sympathetic appreciation of British interests added, "What a pity the Boers in South Africa do not learn the English languago instead of attempting to perpetuate- one of thenown. If'they would do that the main trouble in that country would soon be ended, although in South Africa there is also the problem that always exists where an inferior native population largely outnumbers the dominant race." . 1 The large amount of exports shipped yearly by our population of less than" a million excited the President's wonderment. "New Zealand is really a remarkable country ! he exclaimed. i I was greatly taken with his per- ' sonality. He received mo very cordially and warmly, whilst his frank, ■unconventional manner at once re- ! moved all barriers to a free and : highly interesting conversation. | When' at its conclusion 1 mentioned that the American people had shown mo lots of courtesy and kindly treatment, the pleasant rejoinder, Why, surely • I should be ashamed of them if they had not," accompanied by the heartiest of handshakes, made me feel that on interview with on American President was not such a dreadful matter after all.