IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21323, 16 November 1934, Page 20

IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA

3»R SULLIVAN RETURNS TO CHRISTCHURCH MANY PROBLEMS STILL TO BE OVERCOME Impressions of Australia obtained during a tour which extended to the states of Victoria, South Australia, and New South "Wales, were given by Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., Mayor of Christchurch, when he arrived back from that tour yesterday morning. He discussed national, political, and municipal affairs in the Commonwealth, and •was of the opinion that Australia still had many serious problems to face before definite economic rehabilitation could be claimed. The unemployment problem was still one of gigantic dimensions in Australia, he said. Even in Melbourne, where the Centenary celebrations were creating all manner of employment and bringing thousands of visitors to the city and stimulating business, it was stated that there were 25,000 unemployed. The system of relief in both New South Wales and Victoria was very similar to that operating in New Zealand. Men were given a certain number of days' work each week. It was remarkable that the presence of unemployment was not nearly so much before the public as in New Zealand. There was little about it in the newspapers, and demonstrations were an exception. However, arrangements had been made to concentrate on demonstrations more in future. South Australia did least for its unemployed. They were given rations and only a day's work now and again. Mr Sullivan did not visit Queensland, but he understood that ta that state the best efforts were made to solve the problem. Public ■works had been extended under a scheme for providing work. Shorter Working Week "I would say that there is a feeling to Australia of hope for better times ahead, but I would not say that Australia is out of the wood yet," Mr Sullivan said. "The unemployment problem has not been solved, and there does not appear to be any clear idea how it can be. There is a general feeling that the introduction of a shorter working week would be desirable, but the difficulty is that it is also generally feared that such an introduction would mean an increase in the cost of production, which would operate detrimentally to the Commonwealth's competition with other countries on the world markets. It is feared that in the end a shorter ■working week would therefore only create more unemployed. One Labour Minjster said that it was his personal view that instead of assisting to relieve unemployment, a shorter week would add to it, and in the end the Chambers of Commerce and the Trades Hails would join in denouncing the Labour Government that dared to •introduce it. Sympathy with the ideal 13 general, but fear of its effect in practice was equally general." Splits in Labour Party Mr J. T. Lang was undoubtedly still a colourful figure in Australian politics,' said Mr Sullivan. His position to-day was difficult to define. Unquestionably he was a popular hero among the majority of industrial workers in New South Wales, and he was equally unpopular with the rest of the community. The question to-day appeared to be whether under his leadership the New South Wales Labour party could win sufficient votes from the poorer members of the middle class to take control of the government again. Mr Lang was described by Mr Sullivan as "a man who acts on his own initiative, and does not even consult the members of his own party; who commits them to an attitude without their knowledge or sanction." He added that this policy was the curse of the Labour party's policy in Australia. Mr Hogan had followed it in Victoria, *and Mr Hill in South Australia with equally disastrous results. The parties had been compelled to turn such men down, and splits owing to the difference of opinion had caused them to be turned out of office. It was significant that Labour governments in power when the differences of opinion occurred were no longer in office, while in states where there had been no such occurrences Labour was in power to-day. Undoubtedly the New. Zealand policy of a party's policy being decided first before action was taken was best. It prevented misunderstandings. "I found that Labour members and others in Australia were enormously interested that a big local body, such as the Christchurch City Council, had been able to maintain wages," he said. "They could scarcely believe that statement, and thought the performance extraordinary and unparalleled." Woolston Band's Impression Referring to the visit to Australia of the Woolston Band, Mr Sullivan said that he was in Ballarat, where the band contest was held, a short time, and he had heard many references to the popularity of the Woolston Band, both for the excellence of its music and its conduct. It had been stated that the band was the best-behaved of visiting bands. Municipal problems in Australia, Mr Sullivan did not find to be very different from those encountered in New Zealand. He attended a meeting of a council of one of the city suburbs of Which Melbourne city is comprised, and was a little surprised to see that all proceedings were taken in open meeting. However, he was told that the Melbourne City Council itself did* most of its work in committees, and meetings of the whole council rarely lasted more than 20 minutes. Not Interested in New Zealand Melbourne is a beautiful city, and Melbourne people who have visited New Zealand all speak of Christchurch with kindly remembrance of its beautiful gardens, parks, and reserves, its trees, and-the householder's love of gardens and flowers. New Zealand was spoken of with respect by all Australians, but they were generally not interested in it. All the news of New Zealand was either of earthquakes or murders. The propaganda of one newspaper in calling New Zealand "the shivery isles" had been most successful, and in that form many references to New Zealand were couched. New Zealand people were regarded as being very brave, but perhaps a little foolish as well. That was the view of the majority, although, of course, not that of the well-informed. Mr Sullivan said he was very glad to be back in New Zealand, although he said that he could not speak in high enough praise of the hospitality that had been extended to both Mrs Sullivan and himself during his visit. It had been overwhelming. Comparison of Peoples "Of course, every person is entitled to a personal opinion, and mine is that Australia is producing a different type of individual from those of this Dominion," Mr Sullivan added. "New Zealand is producing the best type of Briton. The Australian type resembles the American. There is much more reserve and dignity about a New Zealander. In Victoria the people are more like those of New Zealand. Of course one has to acknowledge that the Australians are a great people and progressive, but I ke the New Zealand people better, **>£. I say that without any grouch." 'IS? Sullivan concluded his comment With a reference to the appearance of women m Sydney. He said that he 3aa been impressed by the preponder- ?££? of blondes—most of them unnat,2£iS2a£3Lti£ eßmy con^«i«»