NEW ZEALANDERS

Evening Star, Issue 19143, 9 January 1926, Page 4

NEW ZEALANDERS

“ PATRIOTIC ABSURDITIES ” DISTRUST OF AUSTRALIANS Long bofora coming to New Zealand, some live years ago (says “ F.U.” in the Sydney ‘ Telegraph ’), I had heard of the newspaper in a country town in the-North island which published the “humorous” paragraph: “Two Australians passed through hero yesterday. Nothing has yet been reported to be missing.” That same cynical vein of hostility still distributes its dislike of the Australian, despite the fact that the best men of the two countries mot and fraternised during the Great War; but the observer may note that it is not apparent in the Now Zealand returned soldier, or in the majority of the travelled New Zealanders, hut is eonlined to those to whom Now Zealand is the only country in existence, and whose prejudice arises from an almost, entire ignorance of the great world outside, of which it is so small and so remote a portion. The hostility of the ignorant is not altogether confined to words or to Australians, however. Despite their boast that they are “ more British than the British,” a hy no means small section of the community display a, marked repugnance towards immigrants from Great Britain, who are contemptuously referred to as “ Ilomies.” IGNORANCE THE EVIL.

Since there are thousands of New Zealnndiji's in Australia., and in all probability as many thousands of Australians in New Zealand, this matter is one of common interest to both countries, and the sooner that steps are taken to remove our ignorance, of each other the better it will be for our relationship. As for that, it appears to the writer that thorn is a far greater common knowledge of New Zealand in Australia than there is of Australia in Now Zealaml, though that is limited enough in all conscience. But in Australia mio never heard any expressions of resentment, envy, or jealousy against New Zealanders in our midst. ft is unfortunate indeed that ilio same cannot bo said as applied to Australians in this country. For instance, whenever the charge sheet at a police court "gives the nationality of an accused person as Australian, it is a certainty that the factwill be noted in the newspaper reports of the case—as often as not with the beading “Australian Charged,” and with full space accorded to the magistrate if he, ns he often does, indulges in some scathing remarks upoii “ Australian criminals.” MISLEADING NEWS.

But perhaps the chief factor in the ignorance of the people of this country concerning the commonwealth so clo.se at hand is tlio class of Australian nows supplied them. One scarcely reads anything else in the way of Australian news than murders, suicides, crimes of violence, robberies, divorces, droughts, and hush, llres—depicting our great country as a veritable land of .horrors. It is then, perhaps, no wonder that the visiting Australian is regarded as subject to suspicion when ho comes here, and that ho is to a great extent an alien instead of a brother. And matters are not mended by the Australian habit of free and unrestricted speech in criticism of this country and its community, which sometimes goes to unfortunate lengths in retaliation for slurs on their own country. The average New Zealander knows all about our crime, our immortality, our aridity, and these assume, terrific proportions to him. since bo hears or reads little or nothing regarding our literatn ro, our song, our tempera mem., our industry, our resources, and our trade. Generally speaking, the New Zealander does not form the habit of thinking for himself, and ho lias an unfortunate habit of accepting gossip as gospel. _ This spoils an otherwise admirable individual. “ BEST, BIGGEST, GREATEST.” But, in regard to himself and his own _ country, the Now Zealander is patriotism run riot. New Zealand, ho jvtll tell you, has tho biggest bridges in tho world, the longest tunnels, the most wonderful scenery, the best butler, tho finest fruit, the most beautiful harbor (Auckland, to wit), the finest climate, the most advanced sociej legislation, ting least poverty, the greatest prosperity, tho soundest educational system, the biggest wooden building, tho hugest and fiercest, swordfish _ and iron!, the (granted) finest Rugby footballers, and—the host, biggest, most wonderful everything, tyhen a stranger of note arrives in New Zealand he is not interviewed ns toJiis own country; ho is ashed his opinion of Now Zealand before ho has h;u( time to sen it. Naturally he nraises it without stint—and assures himself a most cordial welcome. “ When a New Zealander returns after a visit abroad the newspaper interviewer puts him through a searching cross-examination as to the faults he has observed in other countries, and gets him to draw a contrast to tho virtues of his own, the interview inevitably concluding with “ Thank God, I in hack in God’s own country again.’) Tho Now Zealander takes this wilh In's breakfast and dinner almost daily, and it nourishes him like Ids more material iood. lie believes in his country with a. faith and a fervor unequalled. This could be forgiven him if ho were only more tolerant of other countries and their people, but when it is accompanied by insularity in hearing and speech it assumes more of the attributes ol sin than of sanctity. “ nothing but jealousy.”

.\ spirited newspaper protest has hern made by Australians within the last iewydays against the publication ot a. foolish item horded “Escaped the Cursfi ” —tiio reproduction of the imagination nl an American writer, who informed the American public that New Zealand (which has as many plain, common “drunks” in proportion to its population as any other British ennnIry) is devoid of drunkenness, and that nothing has ever been stolen from a New Zealand hotel in- the. memory of the oldest inhabitant, excepting when an Australian was responsible. A correspondent under the nom do plume el “ Disgusted ” at once wrote to the Auckland ‘Star’ as followsTlia New Zealanders are too ready to threw slurs on any hut their own count rynicn, especially on Australians. It is a miserable spirit, and nothing to their credit. There are. good and had nennlo in every country, and New Zealand has its share of the one as well as the other. It is nnthirg but petty jealousy. Perhaps when they travel about more they will find people just as good and honest, as in their own little island far a,wav from everywhere.”

Tfm existence of (liis hitij'rnpss jeopardise;; t.lio harmonious rolafiouship which should exist, between the people of two ncljoea.nt. British countries ■with common aims and aspirations. It is as foolish as it is regret I able—a schoolboy bickering, unworthy of the grown sons of the. Empire. A remedy is needed, and that remedy should he the application to Now Zealanders of know ledge of their sister dominion. It is the duty of fhnr.« in Australia who supply news to the New Zealand Press In furnish morn inform^ion regarding tin 1 political and eronoiniral life of their own people, ami of their crimes and their scandals.