STRANGE CHINESE DEMAND

Evening Star, Issue 22938, 21 April 1938, Page 10

STRANGE CHINESE DEMAND

LIVING COSTS IN NEW ZEALAND DESIRES TO RESIDE HERE Many and varied are the requests for information received from China by a local importer, but the latest is by far the most difficult to supply. All know the attraction New Zealand has _ for tourists —-it would seem that visitors. - are so impressed by the standards of living in this country that thev are mqved occasionally to express the desire to reside here. Now, comes this letter from China/ with a request for information about Dominion standards of living from the head of a Tientsin business house‘ A friend of mine -having: learned much about the natural beauty and the peaceful fife of New Zealand has. the intention to reside there, but having no connections in your country asked me to make inquiries with business friends of our firm. Would you be kind enough, whenever your time should "permit, to kindly give hie some information as to the cost of living in New Zealand (rental, food, clothing, etc., in New Zealand pounds for a married couple without children) ? Anticipating my thanks for the compliance of my request and ready to reciprocate in a suitable manner. . . .” ‘

The requirements of the gentleman in question would seem to be too exacting to be supplied by a mere importer ; the request would have been more expeditiously and fully met by the; Print* Minister, who niieht, reasonably be expected to knoy withjjifqyje exjhriiudc!