A GERMAN CRITIC. NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 9, 11 January 1912, Page 3

A GERMAN CRITIC. NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATION.

AS OTHERS SEE US. Dr. Schoue, a member of the Pruseian Government, gave an address at Victoria College laot evening on things in New Zealand as seen by a German. He proved himself to be a particularly lucid speaker, not afraid of being with the minority where ho was convinced that the minority was right, a shrewd observer, and a kindly critic. Professor Hunter presided. ¦ Dr. Schono began by referring to the exclusion of New Zealand and Australia from the itinerary of the average German world-tourist, who, if he encircled the globe, usually went East, via Suez, India, the Straits, China, and Japan. German boys, it appeared, wero taught that New Zealand was a country with, a configuration like Italy, but divided into two parts by a strait named after Cook, the discoverer — and that was about all. He next dealt with the. unique native flora and fauna,' which, it would seem, were threatened with ultimato extinction by the influences from without. At the same time, he. acknowledged with pleasure that effort* had been made, and continued to b© made, to protect what remained of the indigenous vegetation, and birds and other animals, "n ith special reference to the proclamation ensuring protection to "Pelorus Jack." Dr. Schone also showed how Germany in some sort had suffered severely in parts from, the ruthless sacrifice of forests and natural and architectural heritages that could never be replaced, although there an awakening came, and this was to be seen in the -efforts made to atone for the vandalism done in the name of utility. Dr. Schone eepecally referred to the Maoris, whose loss of na tional character, art, history, and legend seemed a foregone conclusion. Of "tho ultimate New Zealander he also spoko. It was only natural that he would develop into a distinct type, as the American had done, but he v\ ould not bo like the American. At the same time it wae interesting to a foreigner to mark how the New Zealander considered himself a Britisher, in the &n>h& that he called England Home or the Old Country, and spoke of "out here."