DOMINION LIFE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21143, 10 July 1943, Page 4

DOMINION LIFE

HOMES AND EDUCATION A VISITOR'S APPRECIATION Admiration of New Zealand homes and the general standard of education in the "country was expressed by Lieutenant-Commander E. Pennington, United States Navy chaplain, at the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. . “I refuse to gauge a peoples progress by material values,” the speaker said. “Night-life, wide-open towns anci Sundays" given over to noisy amusements all" run counter to my convictions. Briefly, I am concerned over the preservation of what is good, strong, noble and sane, with the development of character, with the higher education of men, with art and good music, and with true and noimu home life." , , . . One of the things that nad impressed him about New Zealand w.n-> the fact that the people were poised. “You have ventured into the ocean of progress far enough to derive all the benelits and yet you have not been swamped by the treacherous. undcitow," he continued. “I have admired, the neat appearance of your homes and your love of Nature as exemplified ‘in your beautiful parks, your trees, your hills. I am glad to find that von have plenty of room; there is no herding together such as one sees m all the European cities. The houses are separated and have yards —room for flowers and gardens and for the children’s play." ’ , Commander Pennington expressed admiration for the high standard oi education. It pleased him to sec school-children in uniforms. this eliminated much of the snobbishness and the undue love of dress and saved many a clti Icl from wounded feelings. From his own point of view, Commander Pennington said he had found here generosity and gracious hospitality.