IN AUSTRALIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 117, 18 April 1939, Page 6

IN AUSTRALIA

INTEREST IN DOMINION. VISIT BY Mil J. HODGENS. “The wonderfully kindly actions and friendliness to visitors is undoubtedly a trait of Australian character,” said Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., to a “Standard reporter last evening, in speaking of his visit to the Commonwealth, which has occupied his time since mid-Febru-ary. The visitor was received as such, continued Mr Hodgens, irrespective of whatever groove lie might follow in life. In Parliamentary and business circles, in private life, and in casual contacts, the same held true. Business people were very much interested in New Zealand, commented Mr Hodgens—both in Melbourne and Sydney, where be was shown over manufacturing concerns. They were keenly interested in establishing themselves here, and in two instances arrangements had been made for commencing manufacturing in New Zealand. Enquiries had been made as to the aim of the import restrictions, and whether they sought to establish a manufacturing bias. When verse and chapter had been quoted to them the statements were not questioned, but enquiries were made as to bow to set about obtaining a manufacturing licence in the Dominion. “T made more speeches in Australia in Trades Ha.ll circles than I would in an election in New Zealand,” said Air Hodgens, who commented that, following the wishes of the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) he had first made contact with the Premier _ ot whatever State lie might be visiting, and then called on Trades Hall circles. He had not been able to meet Mr B. S. B. Stevens. Premier of New South Wales, as Parliament was then in session and Me Hodgens was engaged in the selection of building artisans to come to New Zealand. COSTS OF LIVING. Living costs, by comparison with those in New Zealand, interested the visitor and he said that those ill Australia were about on a par with ours at- the present time. Costs of high quality goods in Sydney and Melbourne were considerably higher, but where Australia led New Zealand was in lower house rents. There were all grades, of course, and the very low rents of the poorer quarters of the larger cities could not be compared with those of better class bousing in the smaller towns of New Zealand. On the otlier side, he had seen flats of which tho rents ranged from £lO to £2O a week. RECRUITING FOB DEFENCE. “Humour and counter-rumour are heard in Australia, of course, as to the international situation and matters thereto which have a particular application to the Commonwealth,” said Air Hodgens. “The mass psychology of the people is about parallel to that in New Zealand, in that there is a perfect understanding that Australia will have to defend her shores if anything eventuates as a consequence of the overseas tension. Recruiting stations are to be seen in the heart of Sydney, and everything is being done to make the recruiting as attractive as possible.” Alany former New Zealanders and others who bad resided in Palmerston North in other years were met by Air Hodgens, and one of the men coming to New Zealand under the Government’s scheme is a brother of a resident of tin's city. Among those who had lived at this centre was Air Frank Bolfe, a former member of the City Council, and at Newcastle there had called on him Ala.ior (now Colonel) Cotterill, of the Salvation Army, who wished to be remembered to all those with whom he had been associated at this centre. Air H. Crouch, of Brisbane, who was at one time a builder engaged in Palmerston North, was another (Air Crouch has been here, since going to Australia, as a member of a party of bowlers from Queensland), and AFr P. Torstonson, a former Palmerston North builder. ATr G. AVheatley, lately groundsman-coach at the Sportsground, was another ex-Palmerston North resident met by the visitor, who saw Don Bradman in action and personally met C’. A. Grimmett, the famous bowler. Mr Hodgens was the representative of New Zealand at the funeral of the late Premier of Australia. Air J. A. Lyons, both at the church at Sydney and accompanying the body to the quayside from which the destroyer Vendetta took the casket to Tasmania, tho scene of the final ceremony.