HIGH PRAISE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19818, 4 January 1930, Page 12

HIGH PRAISE.

impressions of new ZEALAND. LORD CRAIGAVON ENTHUSIASTIC. [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, January 3. "On Rotorua I could dilate for hours. It is one of the most marvellous holiday resorts I have ever seen, and in the course of my various travels I have seen a great many in all parts of the world," declared Lord Craigavon (Prime Minister of Northern Ireland), who, accompanied by Lady Craigavon, arrived in Wellington this morning from Rotorua. He also stated that he and Lady Craigavon had been greatly struck with the splendours of the Waitomo Caves, particularly the Glow Worm, Cave, and with the unique beauty of the fernery in the Pukekura Park, New Plymouth. He had been much interested in the farming districts they had visited, and had received many helpful hints that would be of great service on his return to Ulster. When the train drew in to Thorndon station the visitors were met and welcomed on the platform by Mr Frank Thomson (permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department) and Mr D. Ardell, representing the New Zealand Government, by the Rev. James Baird (president), and Messrs 11. May (secretary and treasurer), and F. Ferguson, of the Ulster Association, and Mr S. S. Dean (chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union). "I came out for a rest and a change," said Lord Craigavon in an interview. "I am deeply interested in the farming industry at Home, and one of the objects of my trip is to endeavour to learn anything that can prove of advantage to Ulster on my return. Thanks to the kindness of Sir Joseph Ward, whose name I was delighted to see in the New Year Honours list, and his colleagues, every facility has been afforded my wife and myself to see the beauty spots of New Zealand and other places of interest in comfort and to the best advantage. We have visited Hamilton, Cambridge, and the Waikato district generally, the Taranaki farming areas, the Waitomo Caves, New Plymouth, Wanganui, and the Hawke's Bay district, and we have just been taking a complete rest in your great thermal district of Rotorua, Wairakei, and Taupo, where we enjoyed several days fishing and sight-seeing. This evening we proceed to the South Island where we propose to spend about three weeks seeing the principal cities, farming districts, and holiday resorts. An additional attraction to us in travelling so far has been the constant opportunities of meeting with people of Ulster birth •r parentage. We have spent many an hour talking with them on matters of common interest, and it has delighted me to see that although they have the most lively recollections of and love for Ulster, their whole heart and soul is in the country of their adoption. I feel confident that they are proving the best of good citizens in New Zealand. I shall be able to pronounce further as to the many helpful hints I have been able to absorb in regard to farming and other matters when I have seen what there is to be seen in the South Island, but in the meantime I may say that this Dominion has given me much food for reflection, and I am already in possession of several valuable ideas which will be of undoubted service to us at Home. "I am particularly struck with your prison camp system as seen in operation at Houtu. It follows very much along the lines that our Minister for Home Affairs has been advocating for years, and I have been very interested in the herd testing system which we also have in operation in Ulster." To-day Lord Craigavon paid his respects to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) at Heretaunga, and also visited the tomb at Point Halswell of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, who was his friend and fellow-countryman. Lord and Lady Craigavon left by the Wahine to-night for the South Island. They are due back in Wellington on January 25th, and will proceed to Masterton where they are to stay with Mr Williams for three days. On Wednesday, January 29th, they will return to Wellington and will stay until their departure from New Zealand by the Rangitata on February Ist.