“A WONDERFUL COUNTRY.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 283, 3 November 1925, Page 9

“A WONDERFUL COUNTRY.”

HON. D. F. AVILBER’S VIEWS. NEEDS ADVERTISING IN AAIERCA. “1 enjoyed my post here more than any other I held in the service of the United States of America. .1 came to love this country and its people. That is why I am re-visiting you now and if my health permits it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that I may conic again. You have a wonderful land, a wonderful soil, climate and everything. To the tourist it is a sportsman’s jiaradi.se.” So stated tho Hon. R. F. Wilbur, now resident in Oneonta, New York State, and formerly Consul-General for the United States in New Zealand, to a “Standard” reporter this morning. Ah' Wilber, who resigned from the post two years ago, is at present on a visit to New'Zealand accompanied by a friend, All - Walter S. Whipple, also an American, and is remaining in Palmerston North over show week. PUBLICITY REQU I B ED. “Aly first object in coming hack to New Zealand is to renew old acquaintances,” stated Air Wilber to tho reporter, “and incidentally with iny friend to enjoy some more of your uonderfui fishing. Air Whipple had been reading about New Zealand in some American publications, and, becoming interested in this country as a tourist resort, decided to come out with me.” Air Wilbur stated that so far he and Air Whipple laid visited Rotorua, Taupo, Wairakei and Napier, and from Palmerston North would proceed to Christchurch, sailing on the 13th inst. for Australia from Wellington. After a short stay in the Commonwealth they would come back to see more of New Zealand for it was proposed to spend most of tho time in this Dominion, and on February 16 passage hack to the States would he taken by the Aorangi from Auckland. “Quite a number of articles bearing on New Zealand have appeared of late in American publications,” stated the former Consul-General. “Tho Geograjihic especially has been prominent in this connection, while Mr Henry Vandyke, who was United States Ambassador to Belgium during the war, has visited New Zealand and has been writing some interesting ' articles on this country, giving it valuable publicity, and that is what you surely need.”

Trade and general conditions in the United States, said Mr Wilber, were excellent just now. Asked what was the general impression of the fleet’s visit to New Zealand gained in the States, he stated that an excellent impression had been created by the hospitality of the people of the Dominion. The American press had referred to it briefly but sufficiently to indicate the tone of the fleet’s reception and “when the boys went back to their American homes each would he a publicity agent for New Zealand.” “YOUR. PEOPLE AND COUNTRY.” “When I was stationed here, as I have said before, I was extended every courtesy, and so many kindnesses that 1 could not help but have a great affection for the people of New Zealand. It makes no difference what kind of a country you have, if the people are not the right sort they spoil it. It is human,, environment that counts. The people here in Palmerston North especially were so courteous and hospitable that I shall never forget them. “New Zealand is capable of vast development as a tourist resort by means of adequate publicity in properly selected newspapers and magazines which reach the right class of people for the purpose.” ANOTHER AMERICAN’S PRAISE. “I have gained an excellent impression of what I have so far seen of New Zealand,” said Mr Whipple. “I think this a perfectly wonderful country and 1 have never seen anything to compare with it; especially was l surprised at its size and fertility. As a scenic resort it is perfectly beautiful. Some of the motor rides we took in visiting the scenic attractions of the North Island are far ahead of our Californian mountain climbs. We took a wonderful ride in Italy once, but the road from Taupo to Napier easily surpasses that. Little is known of your country in the United States and I assure you that Mr Wilber and myself will continue to do our best to advertise it!”