SYDNEY REVISITED.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1922, Page 9

SYDNEY REVISITED.

IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

THE CHANGING AUSTRALIAN.

(By

T.C.L.

in the “Millions Magazine,”

N.S.W.j

I have been asked to give my impressions of Sydney after an absence of 21 years. 1 cannot feel that such observations as may be made as the result of a hurried visit can be of general interest or of any particular value, but the editor of the “Millions Magazine” will not accept no for an answer, and I comply with his request with some diffidence.

The first feature which must strike one who knew the Sydney of two decades ago is its tremendous growth. The city has sprawled seemingly over the whole countryside. Suburbs that were thinly populated, sandhills and fields that boasted not a single habitation, are to-day the centres of large populations. Many of them, indeed, are quite considerable cities —cities within a city — with their own shops and services complete. One notices, too, the substantial character of the shop buildings and the up-to-date and comfortable type of residence. For this development of the suburbs, of course, the trams, ferries and railways are mostly responsible The trams are not the most modern, being terribly noisy and excellent distributors of dust, but they move the people quickly and provide frequent services, which is the main thing. The extension and improvement of the ferry services are most marked. Where there was formerly one boat on the harbor there now seem to be a dozen, and still, at certain times of the day and night, accommodation is at a premium. One can plainly see that with the growth of population on the other side of the harbor some means of shifting the travelling public other than the ferry must be adopted in the near future.

A conspicuous feature of the landscape in some of the suburbs is the rows of chimney stacks. This denotes a considerable expansion in industries, probably as the result of the change from free trade, which formerly dominated Sydney, and. therefore New South Wales, to protection. The railway station, with its spaciousness and admirable facilities and conveniences. impresses itself on the mind of the visitor who remembers the old station, with all its limitations and shortcomings. It can be regarded as one of the main attractions of Sydney, to which it does credit. It is rather surprising. however, to find the trains still driven by coal, and not by electricity. In this respect Melbourne is ahead of Sydney, notwithstanding that it has to import from New South Wales the coal from which the power is generated. THE GREAT CROWDS. Another feature which impresses the visitor is the great crowds which throng the principal streets in the busy hours of the day and night. The thought occurs. how is Sydney to accommodate the crowds if the city continues to expand as it is expanding? Obviously Sydney’s business area was not built upon a plan; like Topsy, it “just growed.” and I the result is that its main streets are all too narrow and confined. To widen • them now would seem to be out of the question. The underground railway, . work in connection with which has been i commenced, will, undoubtedly, ease the ! traffic, but it will not provide a com- ■ plete solution of the congestion problem. Sydney has always been noted for its fine public gardens and breathing spaces, i and it is good to see that more interest ' than ever is being taken in them by the civic authorities and the public- The Botanical Gardens are a treat to visit, even in winter, and constitute one of Sydney’s greatest possessions. ALL NOT WELL. Sydney in many respects is a fortunate city. It has an incomparable harbor, beautiful surroundings, and a glorious climate—conditions which should ' make for contentedness, happiness, and | prosperity. But there are not wanting indications that all is not well with the people. For one thing, they seem to be given over too much to the pursuit of sport and pleasure, to the neglect of the more serious and enduring things of life. Of course, this condition is not peculiar to Sydney, particularly since the war, but it is more pronounced here than in the other Australasian colonies. Again, one notices the irresponsibility and irI reverence on the part of the bulk of wQf’at may be described as the unthinkng sections, who probably are not to be blamed so much as the newspapers, which provide them with their ideas and opinions. It appears to me that the newspaper pres* of the city, with one or two notable exceptions, has sadly deteriorated in tone and character in recent years. The papers referred to have seemingly adopted the principle of the American yellow journals of giving the public what they want, and not what they need, of magnifying trivialities, featuring the sensational and dishing and serving up unsavory incidents, to the exclusion of matters of real moment and worth. This undesirable tendency has had its effect on the minds of their unthinking readers, as indeed it was bound to do. and from a national point aof view it cannot be other than prejudicial-

AUSTRALIA FIRST AND FOREMOST. The Australian, I may add, is developing on different lines to the Englishman, or even the New Zealander. He has changed his viewpoint in recent years. He naturally believes in himself and his country, and his ambition seems to be to become self-reliant and independent. He realises, of course, that he is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and is not unmindful of his responsibilities in connection therewith; but he will not allow his attachment to the Old Country to hamper or curb him in the working out of his destiny, which he wants to do in his own way. In other words, membership with the Empire is with him of less concern than the promotion of Australian interests. The average Englishman does not take kindly to the Australian, chiefly because he does not understand him or his viewpoint, and the Australian, in turn, displays no particular anxiety to enlighten him. He is really prejudiced against the “ pommy,” for the no doubt, that only a small proportion of the immigrants turn out a success, and the selfreliant and independent Australian has little time for the failures of life. The Australian appears to be approximating to the American type, whilst the New Zealander resembles more the English—“more English than the English themselves” as has been remarked—and the difference is much more pronounced than twenty years ago. This difference

is likely to become: more marked as the :-years go by, for the conditions of living and the nature of the respective countries are so dissimilar. That is not to say the peoples have nothing in commonQuite the reverse. In most things their interests are absolutely identical. The boys at the front fashioned on the fields of battle a symbol and a tie which will endure as long as history lasts. They learned to know, respect and love one another on the greatest of all trying grounds. One never hears a New Zealander who fought in the war speak other than with the greatest admiration of and regard for his Australian comrade. “They’re a bit rough, hard doers, but great fighters—nothing like them at the front”—about summarises the prevailing opinion. NEED FOR UNITY. Whilst the soldier boys brought the countries together, and cemented with blood their ties of kinship, the politicians have done their best —or, their worst—to keep the countries apart by erecting fiscal barriers against trade intercourse. It is the height of folly to interfere with or restrict trade relations between young developing countries lying so close together, and possessed of the same nationality. All having the interests of their countries at heart should exercise whatever influence they possess towards the removal of these restrictions on trade.

One cannot help noticing in Australia the paucity of news relating tos New Zealand appearing in the principal papers, and contrasting this with the splendid news service supplied to the New Zealand press from Australia- During recent months quite a column of reading matter has been received and printed daily in New Zealand from Australia. summarising the doings and happenings of the country. It is obvious that this-dissemination of news makes for a better knowledge and understanding between the people of the respective countries, and it is a pity that this truth is not realised and acted upon by the Australian newspapers in respect of New Zealand affairs. One finds as a result of this neglect an astonishing ignorance of New Zealand and its people amongst many in Australia.

Again, one would like to see cheaper means of travelling between New Zealand and Australia. The present high rates are a serious impediment. The Millions Club might profitably lend its influence in this direction, and in instituting special excursions to New Zealand. This would involve a slight departure from its “see Australia first” policy, but it is one which should appeal to the reason of its members, for it is obvious that if Australians visited New Zealand in greater number, instead of Europe, greater numbers of New Zealanders would, in turn, be attracted to Australia. New Zealand has a great deal to offer to the sightseer: and Australia has many attractions for the New Zealander.. Indeed. I feel that no New Zealander has completed his education without seeing Australia, and without meeting and exchanging ideas with the business men of Sydney and Melbourne. SPECIAL EXCURSION TRIPS. In this connection. I am placing, on my return to Taranaki, before rHy chamber, a proposal to institute a special trip from New Plymouth to Sydney next February or March- I have discussed the matter with the secretary and members of the Millions Club, who have agreed to co-operate with the Director of Tourists in arranging an itinerary, and making the tour pleasurable and profitable. I hope we will be able to arrange for a party of a hundred to make the trip, and believe, once inaugurated, similar trips to Australia will be undertaken. I am assured that the Millions Club will arrange a return visit, sailing direct from Sydney for New Plymouth, which, by the way, is a rapidly developing port that must in the future play an important pari in the passenger trade between Australia and New Zealand. It is a safe port in all weathers, is able to accommodate the larger vessels, has no dangerous coast line or harbor entrance, and. what is of great importance, is twelve hours’ sail nearer Sydney than Wellington, and lo hours nearer than Auckland. Taranaki is regarded as “‘The garden of New Zealand,” and the Mecca of the tourist. It has magnificent scenery. splendid tar-sealed roads, sporting facilities of every kind, fine fishing, deep-sea and trout angling, mountaineering.' with well appointed hostelries over 3000 ft. up on the mountain slopes. And not far by car over routes the most interesting and picturesque in the Dominion. t-he Waitomo limestone caves, and the Wairaki and Rotorua hot lakes may be visited, all serving to make a tour providing such a diversity of sights, scenery and natural wonders that you would require to visit all Europe and America to encompass. Yes; see New Zealand first! THE MILLIONS CLUB. I have been greatly impressed with what the Millions Chib is doing for Sydney and Australia, and it merits all the support it can be given. Its aims and objects are patriotic and practical, and should appeal to all lovers of Australia, which, like my own country, wants population (but of the right kind) more than anything else- Australia can easily carry fifty millions of people, and. obviously, if it is to do so immigration must be undertaken on a comprehensive scale and means taken for the irrigation and utilising of the millions of acres that are now producing little or nothing. Australia has wonderful opportunities, and whether they are embraced within a reasonable time or not depends entirely upon the policy adopted and the activity and judgment displayed by its leaders now.. It will not. I feel sure, be the fault of the Millions Club if they neglect this, praiseworthy and important duty.

At a ratepayers’ meeting at Wairoa, a farmer stated that he had sold his last season’s wool at £26 a bale, but the charges had been so great that he had netted only 18s 2d a bale. One of the speakers stated that he had sent Home his mutton and had received the satisfactory price of 24s a carcase. Unfortunately, however, 16s of this was swallowed up with exorbitant freezing, bagging and shipping charges. An instance of how the work of the Arbitration Court is piling up is to be seen (says the New Zealand Times) in the fact that while, according to the Act, the court is expected to complete its circuit four times in twelve months, it has only got as far a-s Christchurch, on its second trip. At a sitting of the court at Christchurch, His Honor Mr. Justice Frazer intimated that it was expected the Wellington sitting would occupy two months. He did not know how much work was awaiting the court at Auckland, but 'he would not be surprised if it would be sufficient to occupy a similar time. The court would then return to the 'South Island.