MR. B. SHAW ENTERTAINS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 93, 3 April 1934, Page 9

MR. B. SHAW ENTERTAINS

Politicians Not Esteemed QUESTIONS AT CHATEAU By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 2. Some 240 guests at the Chateau Tungariro enjoyed an unexpected and unusual pleasure last night when Mr Bernard Shaw made his first public speech in New Zealand. The assemblage in the lounge rose and acclaimed him as, with his wife and Mr R. Cobbe, the manager, he descended the stairs to the lounge. Mr Shaw said that in the past we had not formed Governments of men with a knowledge of business, finance, policies, economics and law; we made good speeches, men who were good entertainers and nothing else. He himself had become a good entertainer. He noticed audiences passing votes of thanks and agreeing with him when he had said nothing of any consequence. He had concluded that people wohld be properly governed while they selected men of that class Therefore, he would not make a speech, but would be pleased to answer any questions, personal or otherwise. He would thus be telling them something they wanted to know.

The audience accepted the invitation, and Mr Shaw was questioned for a full hour, when he remarked: “May 1 be allowed to move a hearty vote of thanks to myself?” He retired while the audience sung ‘‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” AS BERNARD SHAW SEES US By Telegraph—Press Association. WANGANUI, April 2. Interviewed by the “Wanganui Herald” by means of written questions, Mr Bernard Shaw, who is spending Easter at Wairakei, said that New Zealanders resembled Englishmen of the nineteenth century very strongly, being old Victorian. He felt more at home here than in London. A s far as advertising tourist attractions was concerned the Government office in London kept New Zealand and its charms well before the public. Asked to comment on flic cabled report that he find advocated Communism to Chinese students. Mr Show replied that lie said nothing about Communism, a thorough knowledge of which wa s necessary for genuine university education Communism was one of the many forces really alive in the world to-day. and universities where these things were not taught and discussed were not universities at all