U.S. Editor’s Impressions Of New Zealand Way Of Life

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 12

U.S. Editor’s Impressions Of New Zealand Way Of Life

New Zealanders are delightfully friendly people who are intelligent and well informed on most things save central heating. This opinion is expressed by Mr W. R Matthews, editor ot the “Arizona Star,” in one of a series of articles written for his paper late last year when he passed through Christchurch on his way to the Antarctic.

In the third article of his series this is what Mr Matthews told his readers about Christchurch:— “We arrived here and were brought to this small hotel with a typical European name, The Caroilton (sic) located just oeyond the edge of the business district. Like all hotels in this city, it is old. but clean. “Each room has a washstand, and that’s all. A telephone in eacn room is considered unnecessary On the second floor there is one bath room tor the occupants of 20 rooms Although this hotel is in New Zealand, it is operated as an American-plan hotel You pay for youi meals whether you get them oi not. Each double bed room has only one chair.

"Although spring is blending into summer, the weathei is chilly. The only room in the hotel that has anv heating is the small parlour where I am writing: but I had to borrow a match to ’ight the gas heater Neither are there connexions for an electri' razor The beds are wonder fiv and have plentv of covers to keep one warm “New Zealanders are delightfully friendlv oenpl* They are intelligent and well informed on most thmgs save central heating ‘We don'* need it,’ they boast; and then

add a bit apologetically, ‘lt costs too much.’

“When I ask how they keep warm in winter time, they reply, We have only 50 days of frost—when the temperature goes below freezing--and. besides, we have fire places. “When I argue that fireplaces don’t keep their bedrooms warm, they proudly reply, ‘Why keep a bedroom warm? Besides, you Americans ar getting soft.’ “This morning I asked a prominent Christchurch editor, ‘Whait is the goal of life in New Zealand?’

“He thoughtfully and slowly replied. ‘We want to live comfortably ’ “I told him I would like to live comfortably during my stay in New Zealand, but the lack of heating on a day like today made that impossible.

“He laughed and suggested. ‘You Americans are getting soft.’ “The food served at our American-plan hotel reminds one of the food in England It is served with its many calories in an abundant style The tea is good and the whisl.y weak. Beer, whisky and gin are cheap—one-third the cost in America or London.

“Christchurch is a lovely city whose central business district is distinguished by the number of buildings 50 to 80 years old. The city was well laid out It is growine and. like Tucson, has passed the 200000 mark It ha* numerous new residential areas of lovely homes, bu’ most of them without central heating. The winters are colder than Tuscon winters.

“The auto traffic reminds me of Tucson in the 1930's

Because autos carry purchase taxes of 112 per cent. 50 per cent, of.it in England —imports amounted to only 50.000 units last year. Out at the airport I was nearly run down by a chugging Model T Ford seda-n of more than 30 years ago. I saw an Auburn of 1930 and many ancient Chewies and orphan cars of American vintage. Auto repair firms do a big business, because so few people can afford new cars. “Bicycles are abundant. People of all ages use them and most people look strong and vigorous. Swarms of schoolchildren use bicycles. Dr. Paul Dudley White, Eisenhower's heart physician, can get his theory confirmed here in New Zealand on the value of bicycle exercise as a heart strengthened This country has one of the lowest death rates in the world. “Most folks are well, but modestly, dressed. Women's hat styles for this spring season are notable for a conspicuous uniformity. They look like various styles and colours of flower pots turned upside town on their heads AU of ‘.he schoolgirls wear wide-brimmed hats, and about half the women one sees on the buses and in the streets wear hats.

■‘lncidentally, the New Zealanders are not taxed as heavily -s we Americans are Their corporation income tax is 50 per cent., while ours Is 52 oer cent federal plus 5 per -ent. state.

“Their personal income tax falls nmnortionately heavier on folks earning under '2 000 dollars end reaches a neak of only 70 per cent, as eomnaTd to 91 ner cent, for ‘he U S A.—and New Zealand is-nearly a complete socialised state.”