A GLOBE-TROTTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 130, 3 June 1936, Page 11

A GLOBE-TROTTER

MANY LANDS VISITED SOUTH AFRICA'S "SERVICE BATTALION" New Zealand is the thirtieth country to have been visited by Mr. G. H. Stcnestreet since he started to travel about the world on business twentythree or twenty-four years ago. Accompanied by his wife, son, and daughter, Mr. Stonestreet, who is special export representative of the Avon-India Rubber Co., London, arrived by the Wanganella from Sydney today, and he will be in New Zealand about two years.

For several years Durban, in South Africa, has been the headquarters of Mr. Stonestreet, and this city has been the starting point of business trips he has had to make to Mauritius, through East India, and home to England, which he visited just before Christmas, and also to other places. In twelve months he, has travelled well over 30,000 miles. He confessed today in an interview that he had always had an ambition to see New Zealand and his ambition at last was being gratified.

Mr. Stonestreet, a Londoner by birth, said that his company did very good business with New Zealand. It was a company which made a big feature of reciprocal trade, and in the factory in England posters were displayed advertising Canterbury lamb and New Zealand butter.

Speaking of conditions generally in South Africa, Mr. Stonestreet said they were very good and that was by virtue of one thing, namely, the gold mining, which had been a sheet anchor. Had it not been for the gold mining South Africa would have been just like a deserted camp. The motor-car business 'was one in respect of which there had a been a striking development. For the last three years up to 5000 cars per month had been imported, and even then it was necessary for purchasers to await delivery.

Income tax was very low in South Africa, compared with the tax in England, said Mr. Stonestreet. There was a certain amount of unemployment in South Africa, but nothing to speak of.

"For the youngsters leaving school." Mr. Stonestreet continued, "the Minister of Defence has created what is called a Service Battalion. They are taken in for twelve months, paid, I think, something like 7s 6d per day, and are eventually absorbed in the railways or some other branch of the Government service. The chambers of commerce have given their co-opera-tion and the whole thing has turned out to be a very fine scheme. Incidentally, so successful has it been that I think something similar is being started for young girls. The boys are put under what may be described as a mild form of military discipline and the scheme prevents their going out on the streets and getting into mischief."

Because of the minerals found there, said Mr. Stonestreet, there was no doubt that South Africa had a wonderful future. Industries were springing up and were being developed, but reciprocity of trade was being carefully watched, and there was no indication that tariffs were likely to be imposed of such a nature as to eliminate importation entirely.