As Others See Us— SCATHING COMMENT ON SOME ASPECTS OF NEW ZEALAND LIFE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 7

As Others See Us— SCATHING COMMENT ON SOME ASPECTS OF NEW ZEALAND LIFE

LONDON. September 21—Mr Donald McCullough, formerly question master of the 8.8. C. Brains Trust, who toured the world in 194748, has this week published a book recording impressions. In it he devotes two chapters to New Zealand. These are some of his observations on New Zealand: — _• “Certainly anyone who believes in social democracy should go to New Zealand. When I was asked to outline my political theories. I said that as far as I could see the human race had to choose between orderly inactivity and dynamic chaos—and New Zealand leans to the former. In New Zealand one most comforting fact is The modest financial basis of life It is agreed that even a family man with £lOOO a year is in clover “There is an impressive level of material security. The people are most generous and tremendously British. “New Zealanders are quiet, modest, and kind. They are deeply interested in sheep, fish, and the speed of horses. They seem happy to leave the Government of the country in the hands of any ardent reformer who turns up from anywhere. New Zealand is a lovely country, and greatly blessed.” Comments Summarised Other comments on New * Zealand by Mr McCullough are: — ' Social Security.—“ln New Zealand social security has, I suppose, reached its highest level on earth. It is all based on* the assumption that the Royal Navy will keep everything just so. . . . Social . security is the great national enterprise, but apparently no cow has agreed to adopt the 40-hour week or even to join a trade union. This attitude is deprecated and research is continuing.” Dock Labour. —“I watched them... I found it heart-breaking... .One man told me that the meat they were loading was not going to Britain, but would be sold on the black market in Europe... .Communist propaganda has done a first-class job of misinformation. It is difficult to get the true facts of the position, but it is sufficiently serious to do great damage to New Zealand labourers as a selfish mixture' of elderly . trade unionists, and young men of low mental calibre, plus a few highly efficient crackpots professionally engaged in using (he union machinery to get control of the country. ...But the spirit of "the wharfies is totally unrepresentative Ninetyfive per cent, of the people of New Zealand are the kindest and most patriotic supporters ' of this country you will find anywhere in the world.” Industrial “Horrors” Industry.—“ New Zealand' is a striking example of the horrors that well-meaning political control can bring to industry. The mixture of private and State control is no fun for anybody, and it would not last a week in any country not absurdly blessed with natural wealth. To businessmen used ■ to struggling for life at Home, New Zealand industries have a dream-like quality. Office v/orkers pack up the office teaset about Thursday dr Friday and begin to check their supplies of milk and sugar by Monday or Tuesday.” Broadcasting.—“l was most flattered by the magnitude of the programme arranged for me, but when I made delicate inquiries about the fees paid for broadcasting, I realised that it -was not ouite so flattering as I had hoped. The New Zealand broadcasting people do their very

best to be kind to visitors. But the fact remains that broadcasting is a precarious business I told the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) of the suggestion made on the Brains Trust that New Zealand broadcasting should be given independent status, but he was not enthusiastic.” “Nation Of Housemaids” Domestic—“ The country runs on a 40-hour week for everyone but the housewives'. There is no nonsense about Continental week-ends. Everything closes down from. Friday to Monday There are no servants. .. .The 40-hour week has provided a nation of housemaids.... Cabinet Ministers pride themselves on their speed in washing up.” Fishing.—“ln New Zealand fishing has been nationalised In theory, there is a great deal to be said for it, and no doubt it has prevented many rivers from being destroyed by pollution. I know that we went to some very good 'places because once I was told that the Minister responsible for the fisheries was coming up on the following day to have a go. Even then the result was a blank. I complained to an elderly gentleman who said is was the fault of the Government. In spite of this, if I settled down to live in New Zealand, I would still be a keen fisherman. For most people, fishing is merely a complicated form of disappointment.” Golf. —“For irritable golfers New Zealand is probably the finest country in the world. The anxiety that a visitor should play well, the gentle good manners of the New Zealanders, leave me with the happiest of impressions of the game in a country where green grass is a basic industry.” Now Zealand Newspapers. —“They seemed genuinely glad to see us, and I have never been treated with more consideration.”

Mr McCullough’s book is entitled “Question Mark,” and it is illustrated by the famous artist Fougasse, now editor of “Punch?’ It bears on the fly leaf and cn the back of the jacket a Fougasse drawing of a New Zealand petrol - pump labelled “Back Next Week.”