A PALMERSTONIAN ABROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8542, 24 March 1908, Page 6

A PALMERSTONIAN ABROAD.

Captain W. S, Gftrdrresr, late of Fvtzhorbort, writes to follows under date March 4th, s-s. Neva, at Frcmantlc, West Australia : *-^- To the hills of t>he steep Tararua, To the land of wool and grain; To Manawatu's town and river Mf.-.y we yet return again. Our thoughts shaped themselves into tho linos as wo left Sydney on the 24th ult. for Bombay, via Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, and Colombo., in • tho Mossageries Maritimes mail steamer the Neva, and, as you may very naturally enquire why we selected a ship of foreign nationality in preference to a British one, we will be prepared with .the reply in a jocular vein, Because we want to have a roll (a French ioil) across the Indian Ocean." But, seriously, wo have done so because the Neva was the only direct boat available, and there were also other inducements, such as the excellent cuisine, light wines, and the oourtcous and rcspectful behaviour which wo have for so long been unaccustomed to when our companions wero " Bullocking Bill" and "Jack tho ringer of the shed" —popple who have many virtues and characteristics peculiarly their own —arid our present associations will enable us to refresh our slight knowledge- of the French language'preparatory to visiting the Exhibition in London later on. Travellers before leaving home should attempt to obtain some ideas about the countries and sights hitherto unknown to them which they are about to visit, as oven when, like ourselves, they intend passing old scenes and going over ground that they were familiar with in past years, it will be found that there arc plenty of surprises in store for them, and those who have adopted Now Zealand as their home and country should endeavour to make it known and loved, recall it to the minds of others who have passed through it, and picture its charms in tho mos.t vivid colours. Wc find much is being done in this direction by the Government, and it was a pleasing incident of our stay in Melbourne to find an old acquaintance in Mr Harry Manson, who is assisting to keep New Zealand's end " well up " as one of its agents in that city We are leaving the coast of Australia to-day—Australia! where, as in New Zealand, tho white woman toils in the chains of domestic slavery and performs the most menial household drudgery owing to the disregard by their respective Governments of the cry which is everywhere going up for the introduction of suitable labour; and we are turning our prow towards India —India! where a few white men of education and ability rule tho teeming millions of inhabitants and the white woman occupies a social position of ease, lu:;ury,, and respect, unknown in any other part of the world. : It has been suggested to U3 .that New Zealand might well encourage the settlement of retiring Anglo-Indians—tho fat pensions of such people might materially assist in lining the bottom of tho treasury chest —but in colonial phraseology wo don't think that they will be found to be "taking any."