FINE IDEALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 8

FINE IDEALS.

COUNTRY'S NEED.

EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT

PRIDE IN RESOURCES,

Strong in his belief that the Government of New Zealand is striving towards the realisation of splendid ideals, and eager' that people of other lands should know of and be attracted by the natural riches of this Dominion and of Australia, a Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. J. Bolger, lately of Melbourne, is at present in Auckland, and will leave soon to take up his mission work in the fields of the Argentine. "Personally I consider that New Zealand, for its size, is the most attractive country in the world," said Father Bolger. "And that is not only from the point of view of the tourist, but also from the viewpoint of the intending settler. I have had occasion in the past to make a tour through New Zealand, and so I speak with conviction. I have never seen anywhere in the world two such wonders as are presented by two of your unique attractions, namely, the Waitomo caves and the Mil ford track. One lesson, however, that would profit New Zealaiiders in a study of the Argentine, for instance, would be the desirability of taking very legitimate pride in the natural resources and advantages with which you have been endowed. Courage to Achieve. "The time has come for New Zealand to assert herself as a. strong, aggressive country," Father Bolger went on, "needing the stimulative forces of selfreliance and self-realisation. I am glad to know that the present Government is making definite efforts towards the realisation of these ideals. All they need is the necessary courage to achieve their splendid objects." Beyond such generalisations Father Bolger did not commit himself on political affairs. Ho turned to the Argentine and spoke of the work he proposed to do there apart from his missionary activities. So little was known in the South American country of Australia and New Zealand that it was his intention to do everything lie could to acquaint the people there, especially the British community,, of the attractions and. resources of the Dominion and the Commonwealth. Publicity of the Argentine in Australia was being encouraged with the hope of securing an influx of Australian visitors. Why should not Australia and New Zealand be better known to the people of the Argentine, who had spent so much of their acquired wealth in the capitals of Europe? It was interesting to know that £030,000,000 of English capital was invested in the Argentine, said Father Bolger. England's control of the main railways, practically speaking, <;ave er her great control over the agricultural wealth of the country. Half the size of Australia, but with twice the population. it was a land of ambitious people who enjoyed the benefits of a very progressive Government. "People here could learn from them the practical advantages of a truly patriotic spirit, so necessary in the advancement of a young country/' he added.