AN AMERICAN VISITOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 232, 19 February 1913, Page 3

AN AMERICAN VISITOR.

XKWSPAPKR MAX IX XEW ZEALAND MR. MILTOX McRAK JXTKRYIKWRD. Mr. Milton A. McEae. president of the Scripps-Mcßac League of newspapers, one of the largest lines of daily newspapers in the United States, has been touring through Xcw Zealand lately observing its people, its laws and its social conditions. He Was seen by a Lyttelton Times reporter and frankly expressed his admiration for the country. "Xew Zealandevs." be said, ''represent one fifteenthhundredth part of the world's population, but New Zealand is one of the most discussed countries in the world on account of its progressive legislation. Woodrow Wilson and Roosevelt both gave the American people programmes that were more radical than any known before, and most of the things they stood for are already in this country. The introduction of legislation providing for a minimum wage, old-age pensions, a general form of insurance, and general municipal ownership of public utilities will come. It is only a matter of time. 'The Panama Tamil quest ion is large and divided. Mr. Knox is right when he savs that the tolls ought to be the same to all nations, including our own. and that if the treaty provided for that the United States should accept it. Mr. Knox rightly argues that if there is anv honest difference of opinion on the point it should be arbitrated impartially, and T haven't anv doubt that it will be arbitrated if necessary. The new Administration will have to settle that matter, and T don't think that arbitration will be necessary."

Dealing with the quest ion of reciprocity between tin' United States -111(1 Canada. Mr, Mediae said that he hail made speeches support ill"' the movement. Some Canadians had written to him saying thai lie was trying to deliver them into (lie hands of the United States, and some United States fanners had accused him of attempting to roh them of their farms. Opinions were divided on the question in both countries. All the talk of the annexation of Canada by the United Stales -was political 'bunkum/' Canada was taking from fill.llHO to 7U..000 people nut of (he United States every year. They were going into the north-western provinces. There was an imaginary dividing-line, marked by Customs oflicers. not soldiers. They really had nothing to fear from reciprocity. Mr. Teliae said that with Mr. Uaphae Herman, of Detroit, he had loft America after voting at the elections. Their intention was to see the English-speaking countries of the world. 'T am writing a series of letters on what T see in my travels." he added, "and T can assure vou that I will write more about Now Zealand than any other country. "I have motored about: your city, and' T have been wonderfully impressed by its beauty." be continued. 'T have j travelled through all countries of the world, excepting only Persia and Sin.ni, and I have no hesitation in saying that Cliristchurch is the most beautiful cilv T liave seen. Tt is not mere flattery, but my honest opinion. Many people had told me that Chiistclmrch was English. Iml it is more beautiful than the English towns. This is a fine country all through. I have been looking in vain for the man who sticks you ii]) to beg sixpence. You have no poverty here. The whole Dominion is prosperous, and as far as T can judge your city here is solidly prosperous, too. I was interested in the Labor meeting held the other nitrht. The whole position in New Zealand is remarkably interesting, and T had heard that the Socialists and Unionists had united, which to people of our country sounds like a paradox."