NO DIFFERENCE SEEN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22081, 1 May 1937, Page 15

NO DIFFERENCE SEEN

NEW ZEALANDERS AND AUSTRALIANS

VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS .

"It is almost incredible to me how much alike New Zealanders and Australians are. I can see no.difference whatever in the two peoples—in their speech, accent, manner, or mode of life," was a comment made. yesterday by a visitor to Christchurch, the Hon. H. MUlingtqn, Minister for Public Works in Western Australia. Mr Millington said he could walk along the streets of a New Zealand city, and scarcely realise that he was not "in Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth. Having now visited the Dominion, he was convinced that a very fine fraternal feeling existed between the two countries. "We may have our little trade differences occasionally, but we in Australia are proud of anything NewZealand does, just as (and I feel sure I am correct in my opinion) New Zealand may feel pleased of i any advancement made in'AustraI lia. The happiest recollection of my holiday will be the general feeling iof good fellowship which undoubtI edly exists between the two coun- ' tries." i Mr Millington said he was amazed iwith the spirit of progress in the Dominion. There was no suggestion, of the development of any insular stodginess. In fact, there was- no need for New Zealand td boast about itself, for it "had the goods"—-it had . 1 the people, the land, and the rainI fall; above all, people of the right stamp, able to take advantage of New Zealand's' wonderful natural resources, which were the envy of the whole world? " . . "I have been through Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, • all of which specialise in the tourist trade, but I find New Zealand unequalled in this respect. Indeed, because of the excellent organisation of < your tourist traffic, every visitor to New Zealand becomes a potential advocate for the Dominion. Long before I came to your country I heard through friends and relatives who. ,„ had preceded me about your magnificent tourist attractions. Everybody I encountered spoke in glow- ■ ing terms about New Zealand, , "In talking as I have done, it xs not a question of saying nice and popular things for the sake of saying them, because I think New Zealand has a long way to go yet. The point is, however, that you seem to be progressing right lines.- The worst thing that could happen to you would be to cultivate a feeling of smug complacency and rest on your laurels.. I do honestly, feel," however, that New Zealand'deserves a little encouragement and praise. I think, too, that it is a very worthy. , move on the part-of your people totry to spread your prosperity,'so that the great mass of people may . have a chance to share in the Do-: minion's great natural advantages.