No Moaning Found In New Zealand

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 16

No Moaning Found In New Zealand

(Special Correspondent N.Z.PJI.) LONDON, March 29. Sir Will Lawther, past president of the National Union of Mineworkers and the Trades Union Council, would make a first-rate public relations officer for New Zealand.

On his return to Newcastle. upon-Tyne after a world tour he said of New Zealand: "If I were 50 years younger I’d leave Britain like a shot and set my roots in New Zealand. It is a wonderful country. Everybody out there, including the miners, is' so content. There is none ot the moaning and groaning very often found in Britain. For instance, if a colliery doses, the miners don’t cry over it. They simply look around with a will for new outlets for their hands. “It is a forward-looking country. The miner lives in a home of which he can be proud. It is spacious and lacks none of the modem conveniences, unlike the rows of colliery cottages in our coal fields. Would Have Been Premier “Mr Walter Nash, an old friend of mine, told me that had I been a New Zealapder. I would have been Premier. I wonder.” Sir Will Lawther said he found. New Zealanders far more, understanding than Australians about Britain’s desire to join the Common Market. “They realise we are an industrial nation and have to live and must seek new markets in Europe. I think this stems from an amazing strength of affection for Britain in the. so British dominion. I have never been in a country with such a great allegiance to a nation at the other side of the world. It is a pity New Zealand is so far away.” Sir Will Lawther also said: "I don't believe that the Maoris can entertain only by stamping out war dances. I went to a Maori concert and have never heard such sweet singing.” "I was astounded to see New Zealanders listening in-

to British football results at 850 on a Sunday morning. I was even more astounded to discover that the pubs closed down at 6 p.m. Night drinking is done from bottles at home.” Scenery, Government Sir Will Lawther marvelled at the “better than Switzerland” scenery of the South Island’s Southern Alps. He liked the system of local government. ‘‘AU too often the British mayor is a jumped-uip little man who thinks he is the cat’s whiskers. He is in office for a year and then forgotten. In New Zealand it is almost a full-time job. He is in office for two or three years and makes a job of it

“The Government is in office for only three years. I asked one fellow if that was not rather a short time. He replied: ‘Three years is too Woody long when it’s a Government you don’t like.’

“That’s what I like about New Zealanders. They are straight ' to' the point. No messing about.” Sir Will Lawther, who was also sent to the United States said: "The difference between America and New Zealand is that New Zealanders work to live and Americans live to work.” How did he feel on returning to Britain? “Really it is still the best place despite juvenile' delinquents, people moaning and groaning, and bad weather.”