Returned Migrant’s Second Thoughts

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 15

Returned Migrant’s Second Thoughts

IFronj the London Correspondent of “The Press' ]

’ LONDON. N«»^ Ur i Tritons who spent seven weeks in Zealand and then took the first aircraft aga L n becaus<! they could not settle t n ar ® second thoughts about returning to the Dominion some day.

Mr and Mrs Henry Bragg (heir daughter and son-S-’ law, Mr Don Robson, sailed to Wellington in the Southern Cross in April By the end of May Mr who lost several thousand pounds on the expedition, found his family so unhappy and homesick that he bought aircraft tickets, left instructions for the return of their : jrnishings. and came back to St. Albans in Hertfordshire. They were glad to be back among their rather surprised friends and relatives, back to the neighbourhood of the Three Hammers where you can call for an occasional drink at a reasonable hour, where they are once more becoming involved in the busy life of a communitv close to the attractions of London. The Braggs left behind a large bungalow in St. Albans. and a big garden with a 30ft aerated swimming pool. They have returned to a small, newly finished house not far away i id Mr Bragg has resumed h:s business as a thermal engineer. Mr Bragg, aged 52. talked recently about what he thought of New Zealand now. He has many good words for the country and he is prepared to tell any intending migrant that it is ‘the best country in the world, with a glorious climate and scenery and a wonderful outdoor life. “But it seems that it was not for us. My wife and daughter never settled in,” said. “We knew well two New Zealand girls who came over here and we learned a lot about the country. “And we have friends who went to Wellington 10 years ago and would not think of shifting. They are wonderful to us; always had the jug on when -we called,” said Mr Bragg. "We first saw New Zealand cn a world cruise and spent three days in Auckland in February, 1959. "But it is a man's country. I rememter I had visions of yachting on the Sounds. Everywhere I looked I saw possibilities. businesses to develop, things to be done. "What I do think is good in New Zealand is the lack

of snobbery. When I first got off the ship I thought people were rather rude — people in the hotels. I mean. But later I found that New Zealanders are good people and that, anyway. ' hotel staffs are often not New ZeeLanders at all. “We had a nice bungalow at Stoke Valley—incidentally, I think the speed at which solicitors can get things done when they have to is something you would never get in. this country. I would advise young people to go to New Zealand if they can get over the housing problem and get on socially.” Mr Bragg—‘‘not a drinking man at all” was disappointed with New Zealand licensing laws. “If they changed these it would make it easier for a migrant to meet New Zealanders socially. It is not everyone who wants to meet people through some organised activity like indoor bowls or cooking centres. In a pub people meet and talk and mix easily.” he said.

“The six-o'clock swill is not for me. It's not for the average Englishman. “We found the theatre business very poor in New Zealand. We used to go the theatre a lot here. Of course we had to drive up to London for it. But we lived a very full and gay life. “And as for night clubs . . . I wanted to take friends out in Wellington and paid 50s for a dinner dance. “It was a very poor show. To start with the table top was made of plastic, and the dinner . . . well, I didn’t eat mine. “They advertised that there were two bands, and do you know what that turned out to mean? One had six men in it and the other three; but the three were half of the six while the rest went off for a cup of tea or something. “I understand that if you took liquor you would have your name taken if the police raided the place. I don't like that. “If there were any chance I would go back to New Zealand,” said Mr Bragg. “I think my son-in-law feels the same.”