THROUGH AMERICAN EYES

Matamata Record, Volume XVII, Issue 1589, 24 December 1934, Page 7

THROUGH AMERICAN EYES

OPINIONS OF NEW ZEALAND Glimpses of New Zealand life through the eyes of strangers are provided by interviews with American tourists published in United States newspapers. Says the “Pasadena Star-News” (California) : “Mrs Charles Hunnibell, returned from New Zealand recently on board the Matson liner Monterey with a fascinating story of its people and beauty gleaned from her prolonged stay in the land of lush green ’fields and yellow fences, hospitable tawnfolks and kindly neighbours. “Mrs Hunnibell, who spent much of her visit on various New Zealand farms, told of the ‘suppression of depression’ in that country by dint of a complicated governmental system of taking care of the unemployed. Even though ‘they have a depression there,’ Mrs Hunnibell confesses, “it apparently is not felt so much as here in the , States.’ I

Noted for its Roads

“New Zealand is justly noted for its

smooth roads, its fondness of home life amid the brilliant greenery in an atmosphere of abundant showers, and its beautiful gardens, according to Mrs Hunnibell. “ ‘Great pride is taken in the growing of gardens. The women are excellent housewives, and, if married, do not believe in leaving the home for work, but rather recognise their place in the home and their responsibility in caring for it. “ ‘The people themselves, being a happy lot, are always seen on weekends going somewhere pleasure bound, not forgetting the teapot and lovely cakes they make. At the beaches, boiling water is provided for the boiling of their tea, and at the mountains, a lovely panorama of grass-like green velvet carpet blankets every hill.’ Mrs Hunnibell was favourably impressed at the unsurpassed service and kindness of New Zealanders.” Another Californian newspaper’s gossip writer has this to say about the

experiences of two American visitors to the' Dominion: « “Dr. and Mrs Harris Garcelon, of Arrowhead, have just returned from a tour of New Zealand, where they were able unwittingly to do some fancy missionary work. Never Heard of Cottajgb Cheese.

“It began at the hotel in Auckland, when Mrs Garcelon orde|£d buttermilk and cottage cheese. The pretty waitress looked utterly flummuxed — never h* rd of such newfangled stuff . And, inark you, New Zealand is % dairy country, famous for its butter and rich cream.

“Thereafter they asked for buttermilk and cottage cheese in vain in several towns. One day Mrs Garcelon was talking with some women at an hotel when the" subject came “up. One was the wife of a member of Parliament, who owns hotels, farms, racehorses and, being an enterprising spouse, she delved into the whys and wherefores of these strange products.

“Dr. Garcelon was invited to make addresses to prominent gatherings of men on the subject. Parliament was asked to send an emissary over here to study it. He is on his way now. So, just because two Americans went travelling, New Zealand will .nb longer feed buttermilk to its pigs, and new profitable industries will blossom there.

New Zealand, they confide, was chilly and damp throughout their visit, so wherever Dr. and Mrs Garcelon went New Zealanders were explaining that that was ‘most unusual weather.’ Copy-cats!” / X