Feilding W.E.A.

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 3

Feilding W.E.A.

TRAVEL TALK BY MR. L. J. WILD i To an excellent attendance of mem- 1 bers and friends of the Feilding W.E.A. movement on Tuesday evening, Mr. L, J. Wild, headmaster of the Feilding Agricultural High School, gave an address on the subject of impressions and experiences during a tour abroad. He . referred to the rapid development of : friendships on board ship which grew : out of the close association of the passengers. He found particularly striking the lack of reticence on the part of Americans. Travel in America was speedy and comfortable and the rail journey over the Rocky Mountains was an enjoyable experience with the train travelling at an average speed of 40 miles per hour. The trip down the St. Lawrence river was full of interest, the speaker briefly alluding to the many historic spots located along the fore- 1 shore of this vast waterway. One of the advantages of travel was the widening of emotional and other experiences. He became impressed with the idea that home life in Canada and the U.S.A. was fading out, although he thought that American cooks were better than English since they were most successful in the preservation of the mineral salts in the cooking of vegetables. In the matter of manners the American’s greeting was always “Pleased to meet you!” and to the speaker the American appeared to be really pleased. On the other hand the Englishman was plainly not pleased to meet a stranger. Manners wero the oil that made the wheels or courtesy go round and the speaker entertained his audience with some delightful examples. The ritual of Rotary and other American social societies struck him as being too much of the growing boys’ back-slapping exuberance and he could not imagine such practices flourishing iu New Zealand. The fraternities of the schools and universities of the States were in effect secret societies with elaborate rituals. There was no sign of snobbery of any . kind, while he found a deep regard for ’ Britain’s Royalty. Probably the national love for ritual was an expression of appreciation of the royal forms and ceremonies of England. A contrast was drawn between the armed hustling and , bustling American policeman and his prototype in London. The Londoner’s . infinite patience and. considerateness L could not be over-praised, especially 5 with regard to traffic control. The “Old School Tie” and its very great influence in educational, social and political ’ circles and in securing high and well paid privileged positions made an interesting and instructive j)hase of the address, as did also the references to historic schools and buildings. Referring to the love of old things, tho speaker confessed that he got a greater thrill in seeing the original guillotine in Edinburgh than he did iu seeing the gloves Queen Elizabeth wore. In the matter of hospitality it was difficult to get behind the formality of the Englishman as against the approachability of the American. In this connection, he referred to the pleasure with which Lord Bledisloe met New Zealanders and his love for New Zealand since his Governorship was genuine and persistent. Mr. A. J. Humphreys (president) conveyed the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Wild, who was heartily applauded. At the annual meeting of the branch the following officers wero elected:— President, Mr. A. J. Humphreys; secre-tary-treasurer, Miss I. Mayo; vicepresidents, Messrs. L. J. Wild, E. Petty, H. J. Masou, K. Ross A. Williamson and H. Bowater; committee, Mesdames W. Nesbit, A. Sporle, A. J. Humphreys, A. K. Dowrick, P. G. Guy and Messrs. A J. Kellow, T. L. Seddon and R. R. F Jones.