"They Make Me Happy"
HOWELL WALKER, a staff representative of the "National Geographic Magazine" who, as reported in a recent "Listener" interview, came here to find out what "makes Anzacs tough." found after a fortnight in New Zealand that he wanted to say "Hello" to everyone he met. Here is an extract from a letter written to J. W. Heenan, UnderSecretary of Internal Affairs, as Mr. Walker was on his way to Auckland to catch the Clipper: "Driving along by myself today, I had plenty of time to think. I considered the New Zealander as an individualquiet, serious, solid, and bent on getting his work done, Yet, as'a people, New Zealanders have an extremely happy attitude. To be among them makes me happy; I want to wave or say ‘hello’ to everyone I see, I am not altogether sure why this should be so. Perhaps it’s the land they live in. Despite the ‘misty gorges, tormidable mountains covered with snow, heartless winds and _ dreary rains, it is a happy Jand. It is not the happiness I associate with other countries. The gayest tropics are tinged with sadness; Nordic lands have a harsh foundation; Mediterranean countries fret; Asia mystifies. But New Zealand has a stable, good nature; I’ve never seen it cry. Rivers are really running; livestock has something to feed on; and the people know that the next cup of tea will taste as good as the last. And they keep the kettle boiling!"
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 125, 14 November 1941, Page 15
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244"They Make Me Happy" New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 125, 14 November 1941, Page 15
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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