INDIAN VISITORS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 188, 6 May 1937, Page 6

INDIAN VISITORS

I Party of Eager Tourists i Enjoy New Zealand fpi-lERE lies heavy upon some tourists an air of patient lassitude, the same expression of we-will-see-what-ive-are-shown that is a characteristic of cinema fans. It is all the more pleasant, therefore, to meet: the exceptions. Of such are Mr. and Mrs, S. Ranganathan and their two sons, who passed through Wellington this week on a brief tour of the North Island. The Indians formed a cheerful party very much on holiday, with a smile for most things in New Zealand. Apart from their dark skins, the male members were typically English in dress and maner; only Mrs. Ranganathan wore the traditional sari of her people and had a circular caste mark in the centre of her forehead. All spoke Eng!ish with an accent more like the “Oxford” than anything else. Mr. Ranganathan was educated at the famous University. “But we are all taught English in the schools, as well as our own language,'' he explained. “My son, who is eleven years old, can speak two Indian dialects as well as English.” r pilE family stayed only two days in Wellington, are to stay several more in Rotorua, three in Auckland and then will come the trip home in time for the boys to attend school reopening. Yet in the short time they I have formed a clear and very favourable opinion of New Zealand. Firstly, they like the climate, even Wellington in its blustering mood. “The wind howls so,” said Mrs. Ranganathan, but her husband claimed to like the cold snap in the air. Indians, he thought, could stand dry cold even better than Europeans, just as Europeans often showed less ill effect from I working in the stifling heat of 112 de- • grees than did some Indians. I The second thing thyt impressed the visitors was the healthy appearance of New Zealand people. “What do you do?” they wanted to know. “Your men and women all strong. It i is much different iu England. “There is such friendliness here also. England has nothing like it and it is even more spontaneous than we found in Australia. “Tbe food you have is better in qua l .- ’ ity than we could buy In London—or ■ even in Australia.” , TJUT there was a dissentient voice iu ■ the family. It was Junior. “Me. I I do not like this ’Wellington,” he told ' an interviewer. Asked why, he roundly condemned ■ the ban on children wishing to attend cinema sessions. He wanted to see I his favourite star, Gary Cooper. i “It is the epidemic,” was the an- ! swer. “You might catch paralysis.” | “Then I am glad to go to Rotorua ; to catch lisli. They will not be para- ' lysed, anyway,” he rejoined. “That,” be added gravely, above the I laughter, “was u joke." Short though the visit of the Indians will be, they hope to cram much of interest into it. Mr. Ranganathan, a district magistrate stationed at Madras, intends to study tbe operation of the debt adjustment courts, as similar legislation may soon be introduced into India His wife is keenly interested in the Blanket system and Karltane homes, their elder boy thinks of hockey and higher education, and the younger enjoys everything but the epl- i demic. i