SIGN OF RECOVERY

Evening Star, Issue 22212, 14 December 1935, Page 14

SIGN OF RECOVERY

BUILDING ACTIVITY IK ENGLAND “ ADVERTISE NEW ZEALAND," SAYS TRAVELLER _ “ Recovery from the recent depression is particularly marked in England,, but Scotland seems to be returning to normal more slowly,” said Principal A. R. Main, of the College of the Bible, Melbourne, who is returning to Australia via New Zealand, from a tour through England, Scotland, and America. “ Shipping in Scotland is picking up slowly, but the wonderful recovery in England is due partly to the methods adopted of meeting the situation. In every city there is a tremendous amount of building going oh; slums are being cleared out and new buildings erected in their place. It is like new cities on tho_ borders of cities. Trade has improved in England, and the people are very optimistic as to the future ” “In America,. President Roosevelt declares that that country has turned the corner, and nearly everyone I met during my seven weeks’ stay there agrees that that is . so. Tremendous advances for building purposes have been made by the Government, and some say that it “is because of what the Government has done that the country is improving, while others put it that, in spite of the Government’s actions, tilings are getting better.” ■Speaking of the Abyssinian question, Principal Main said that Britain wanted peace and worked for it through the League, and it was quite clear also that America desired peace and was determined to preserve neutrality. However, there was evidence of America’s sympathy with the League in its work against Italy as its greatest opponent. America had 1 indicated its agreement with the aims of the League. He had met several in America who regretted that' America had not gone into the League, but he did not think that represented the general attitude. Principal Main was greatly impressed by' the, provisions made in America for education. There were some magnificent universities, and also facilities for the middle classes, a large number of whom were thus receiving advanced education, while the Carnegie Corporation had been a tremendous educationaT influence there. ■ • “There does not seem to be enough news about Australia and New Zealand in the overseas papers,” he continued. “ If America had the scenic attractions of New Zealand she would let the world know about them, so it is to be regretted that New Zealand does not advertise itself more. If sufficient advertising were done Americans would undoubtedly come to this country, and imagine the money they would spend here!” . Principal Main, who went to England to attend the Church of Christ world convention at Leicester, said _he had been impressed by the kindliness _of the people he had met and the cordiality of the welcome everywhere. Nothing was too much trouble for the Englishman and the American as soon as they knew travellers were from ,either Australia or New Zealand. Nowhere, On his travels, he added, had the welcome been more warm than in New Zealand.