FRANCE TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1920, Page 7

FRANCE TO-DAY.

REPAIRING WAR DAMAGE. "A WONDEBHJL SPIRIT." Interesting details of the conditions in Prance to-day were given by Mdlle. Sou-' beiran, who has just returned to Australia, having completed her work in connection with the administration of funds of the French-Australian League. "The French people are showing a wonderful spirit," said Mdlle. Soubeiran. "All through the country one - notes the gradual building up of the broken lands, and the faint but true indication of the Prance that was before the war. The country i» still very poor, as German}' haa not yet paid any of the money she owes to us. Tho Government is helping all it can, but the low exchequer, and the uncertainty concerning future revenue, make it difficult to Work upon any studied plan. The basis of its system of reconstruction is the promotion of it* agricultural pursuits, and the re-estab-lishment of the people on their farm* and vineyards. Those in command reasoned that it was better, with the small amount of money available, to spend it, in this way rather than jto build up the homes of the people. Houses could- not make money, but fields of grain could make money, and with that money the people could soon rebuild their hotnas, and provide themselves with a source Of income at the same time. Consequently, grants had been made to the village*, and the money has been expended in the purchase of tools, grain, and in the clearing of the land. One sees old men and women, the middle-aged, and even young children engaged in this trisk of cbtriig up the devastated country. Shell holes, wire, bricks and mortar, and even dead bodies have been removed by these workers, and the result is that to-day one ' may see great wheat fields and farm lands where a short time ago there were stretches of waste country. Tt is conceded to be a wonderful transformation. Experts who examined the land said it would not produce anything for year* to come, and yet by some magic is ia now yielding a plentiful harvest. In some parts the soil is very thin and unproductive, but here forests are being planted, and in a few years the ground will have become enriched and fertile. As a result of this concentration on agricultural work, rather than on rebuilding, one sees strange-looking homea springing up in the villages. The spirit of tradition is strong within the heart* of the French people. They cleave to the style of architecture favored by their forefathers, and are building quaint cottages with whatever material is available." Mademoiselle tells many amusing stor-< ies relative to the desire on the part of the people to perpetuate the name of, Australia. At one agricultural school she told thorn something about Australian natve names. When she returned some time later to her amusement sha found that the newest addition to the* stockyard—a sturdy calf—had been, named "Woolloomooloo."