HOME AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 93, 22 April 1925, Page 6

HOME AGAIN

SIR JOHN AND LADY LUKE

AN INTERESTING TOUR

VISIT TO BRITAIN AND WAR AREAS.

Sir John Luke, M.P., and Lady Luke, who hay& been on a visit to Great Britain and the Continent, returned to Wellington to-day, both looking well after a very pleasant tour. Although they were in Britain through the winter months, they found- that the weather was not so severe as they expected, and was almost as mild as that of the South Island of New Zealand. Sir John Luke was impressed with the fact that the winter was not so sharp as.he had known it in his boyhood days. As a matter of fact, it was the mildest experienced for about fifty years. The only sight of snow was a slight fall when he and Lady Luke were passing over the Mendip Hills during a thunderstorm, the snow melting almost as soon as it touched the ground. NEW ZEALAND'S FINE PRODUCE. Sir John Luke told a "Post" reporter to-day that the people at Home had a very high appreciation of New Zealand's products, and he had been told by shopkeepers that a greater quantity could be absorbed ,• if it was available. Certainly, the demand was seasonal, but the hope was expressed that the Domin-. ion would increase its exports to the United Kingdom. Especially was this the case in regard to New Zealand meat, for which there was an ever-growine demand. 6 All New Zealand produce, added Sir John, was looked upon as first-class, and 60 long as the quality was maintained at its present level there need be no fear of losing British markets. As the representatives o! the Meat and Dairy Boards had been Home recently, and were more competent than he was to speak on these subjects, Sir John Luke said he would not discuss this matter further than to say that, as a public man in New Zealand, he was highly pleased to find the esteem in which the produce of New Zealand was held. ' • . . Sir John remarked that no doubt New Zealand would participate in any benefits forthcoming under the British Government's preference proposals. The sum of £1,000,000, which was being set aside to encourage colonial trade with the Mother Country, was very welcome. So far as New Zealand was concerned, he considered that any money it received should be devoted to increasing cold storage capacity in the Old Country. London was not the only place which should be considered in this respect, for there were, other large centres admirably suited to distribute New Zealand's produce, but which at the present time lacked sufficient cold storage facilities. The provision of these facilities, as well as properly insulated vans to convey the produce from the ship's side to cities further afield than the Metropolis, would enable other avenues of distribution to be opened up. With the expansion of the Dominion's export trade it was a sine qua non that the .Home market should be widened. VISITS TO BATTLEFIELDS. On their way back to New Zealand Sir John and Lady Luke visited the battlefields in Trance and ' Belgium. Many reminders of the Great War were visited in France and Belgium, said Sir John. Miles, of open trenches and large quantities of barbed wire and war equipment of all descriptions covered considerable areas. "The work accomplished by the War Graves Commission and those working under them is worthy of the: highest commendation from the bereaved, whose loved ones lie beneath "the ground where they fought so bravely in the cause of justice and freedom," remarked Sir John. "The different cemeteries are mostly in the formation state, but the New Zealand ones are nearer completion. The temporary wooden crosses, with the names , and numbers of . the fallen, brought back memories of hundreds we knew, some of them dear ones of our own kin. The majority of the wooden crosses are now being replaced by permanent stone tablets. The beautifuly-designed and well-constructed New Zealand war memorials, erected on prominent positions, are visible for miles distant, are a grateful tribute ttf,the departed, and typify the Dominion's abiding love to her brave departed sons and daughters. ■ "We are indebted to those in charge of the cemeteries for their kind services to enable us to become, acquainted with' ] the progress of the work and identification of graves. We tender thanks, also, to the officials of St. Barnabas Hostel, Calais, for guidance and services rendered to us. WAR RECONSTRUCTION. "The reconstruction of the areas devastated during the late war is well advanced, more particularly in Belgium, where it is.estimated that 90 per cent, has been accomplished. The progress in France, covering a larger area and. where there was greater damage, is not so far forward. Various reasons are given to account for the difference in the progress of reconstruction in the two countries. In Belgium, and also in France, several of the towns and villages have, been completely rebuilt, with better-de-signed and more suitable buildings, with wider streets, than previously existed, meaning that the inhabitants have more healthy conditions. Ypres, where little has been left of the old town, was entirely rebuilt, apart from the Cathedral and the Cloth House. Those who knew it in war days would be surprised at the transformation effected. ' "In both countries many of the historic buildings are so wrecked that nothing could be done to save them, and tablets and books must indicate to posterity the one-time important place and building, whose battered condition is the legacy left by the German exKaiser." Sir John Luke expressed deep regret atthe illness of Mr. Massey, who, he said, was looked upon at Home as one of the outstanding figures in Imperial affairs.