LUNCHEON CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 48, 26 January 1926, Page 8

LUNCHEON CLUB

ADDRESS BY MR HOPWOOD. CONDITIONS IN AMERICA. Tho weekly meeting of the Citizens’ Lunch Club was held to-day, Mr H. Collinson presiding. In the absence of Rov. G. S. Cook, who was unable to bo present, Mr A. Hopwood. of Palmerston North, brioliy undressed those present on? his travels in Canada and tho United States. Tho national spirit of America was wonderful, said tho speaker, and would carry them through many of their Tlio Stars -nd Stripes were shown everywhere and the displaying of tho Union Jack in Now Zealand or England was very feeble by comparison. At one largo gathering in America evory member saluted the flag before proceeding with tho business. Ho olfored to donate a Union Jack to tho club if the members desired it. (Applause). It would be a fine thing, ho said, if tho club members saluted tho flag before speaking. It would help to keep tlio national spirit alive. We were not ashamed of our flag but wero shy ot displaying our feelings. Touching upoii the question of exports, tlio speaker said that America should bo one of our best markets. They could not make butter and clieeso as well as New Zealanders could, and it would be a fine thing if this Dominion could obtain a footing in the American markets. At present, however, tho tariff was against New Zealand. In tho United (States they wero peculiar in that they claimed to havo tho finest system of freo trading in the world. The whole country was divided into States, each with its own laws, but the various States could uot erect a tariff barrier against each other. Why they did not extend the system to embraco Canada tho speaker did not know. Wages wero very high in tho United States, and shortly tho prices of goods would bo too high for export. Departmental stores wero then discussed by tho speaker. In one, over 80 engineers were employed solely in attending to ’phones, cash registers, cash-carrying systems and heaters. The founder had resolved years ago that anything sold from his store would bo of the host. Any article advertised was bound to bo exactly es described, and elaborate steps were taken to see that this was so. Courtesy played a big part in the life of tho American business man, and right through it was their desire to make everyone welcome. In saying farewell to anyone, an American invariably said: “Come again.” In America the railways did not compare at all favourably with those of England. The third-class in the latter country was superior to the firstclass of America. Tho Americans appeared to take no pride in their trains, in England the trains were faster, ran more smoothly and were generally far ahead of the Americans. Mr Hopwood said that he did not know why the New Zealand Government could not bring tho standard of the secondclass cars up considerably. In England nearly everyone travelled thirdelass —the cars were so well furnished. At the conclusion of tho address Mr W B. Cameron proposed a hearty voto of thanks to the speaker, who had disclosed some interesting facts concerning America. Tho gift of a flag was much appreciated by tlio club, end Mr Hopwood s action was a very generous one.