COMMUNISM IN CHINA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28422, 31 October 1957, Page 12

COMMUNISM IN CHINA

Auckland Man Impressed

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 30.

An Auckland movie-maker, Mr R. Hayward, has returned from a filming expedition to China, convinced that communism has been beneficial to most of China’s population.

“We found that although the Chinese live frugally, most are well dressed and appear to be well fed,” he said. “Everywhere we went, we were impressed by the construction of enormous blocks of flats, factories, irrigation schemes, and brick kilns. “The Chinese always treated us as friends and were terribly curious about us,” Mr Hayward said. “They were intrigued by the hair on my arms and. every little kiddie wanted to stroke them. Sometimes we were ipobbed by curious crowds.”

He said he had been given every assistance by the Chinese authorities, and that there had been no obstructions.

Of the problems facing China, he said the greatest was the immense population. “With such a population, it is doubtful whether democracy could have done any better,” he said.

Today, Mr Hayward, who was accompanied on. his expedition by his wife, was editing 5000 feet of black and white film which will make a featurette, "Inside Red China.” He also exposed 2000 feet of colour film to make “Wonders of China.” This is being processed in London.