WHERE IS NEW ZEALAND?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 104, 18 September 1912, Page 6

WHERE IS NEW ZEALAND?

A TKAYKUjarS COIIPLAIXT. | (Bv lelegraph.—Own Correspondent). ) Wellington, List Xight. 1 Mr. A. A. i'l.rrijr.m has niunu'il fnr'i liis recent visit to London, iuipre-s J with the diameter of British haspUn:; the peaceful beauty of English rural - cilery. and the general ignorance of tile British of Xew Zealand's place 011 the map am! its position in (In; Empire. "It was made dear to me." he assured a representative of the Post, "that business men having already, or being desirous of establishing, relations with Xew Zealand, were, very well informed about this country, or at least were anxious to know all about it. Then I found, too, that whenever it was known that I eame from Xew Zealand I was always made j welcome on that account But it was surprising to me how little was known about us. So many who think they know have an idea that we are but a State of Australia, a pendant to the Commonwealth. That was so far as the British went. Xot so the Canadians. They know better. Let me illustrate what I mean. At the Imperial Chambers of Conference banquet Xew Zealand was overlooked altogether in the toast list. In the speeches there were references made to Australia and Australasia, but we did not come in, although Xew Zealand was fully represented at the lialiquet. Mr. Gilbert Anderson, for instance, was there, and could have ably responded for the Dominion. When, privately at at the banquet. I pointed out the omission, there was something like consternation among those responsible for the arrangements. It was too late then to rectify it. The toast list had been drawn up, fixed and settled. There was what 1 afterwards found to be an English characteristic—a reluctance to alter anything once settled up. In the speeches, New Zealand's independent existence seemed not to he understood, if I except the Canadian speakers. At the Chamber of Commerce Conference deliberations there was much the same ignorance displayed. Eventual!}', L found it necessary to point j out there that considerable haziness exj isted in England as to where and what v Xew Zealand was. and, as representing the ] Wellington Chamber, I thought it was my duty to piiue a smii't matter before the Congress, in the hope that the delegates would agree to it. Xew Zealand was four days' steam from Australia, in area it was about equal to Great Britain j and Ireland combined, it was not a State j of "Australia, but, in the official pjiblicaj tions of the Congress, the officials had bracketed Xew Zealand with Australia. 1 Xew Zealand was not represented as it I thought it should be. I then moved: j 'That the British Imperial Council of 1 Commerce be requested, in connection with the arrangements for future congress'es, to recognise iii its publications 1 the separate existence of the Dominion [ of Xew Zealand, aid' its position in the affairs of the Empire.' Lord Desborough expressed his complete approval of the proposal. The committee would certainly see that Wellington's wishes, expressed \ through Mr. Corrigan. were given full effect to. There was no doubt but that a grave mistake had been made. The motion was carried unanimously." Mr. Corrigan also expressed himself as disappointed with the show, made by New Zealand in London. was to he seen advertised ovprywhere in the city. No expense of-any kind was spared. Australia, as a Commonwealth, and Victoria', as a State, Were represented in a most attractive way in the best part of London. From a publicity standpoint the Xew Zealand offices were dingy and inconspicuous, ajid. in. quite the wrong part of London. Perhaps, the new High Commissioner would effect improvements when he had had sufficient ;time. Of ; course, there was but little excuse for I British ignorance .-of Xsw Zealand, when J one considered the work done by New ) Zealanders in South Africa, and the gift of a Dreadnought to the British navy. But, then, was Xew Zealand doing her part to become Better known and understood?