“SPIRITUALLY LETHARGIC”

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1935, Page 6

“SPIRITUALLY LETHARGIC”

NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE PRAISE AND A LITTLE CRITICISM. MRS CLOW IN WHANGAREI. “If you must have class distinction in this country—and I am there are signs of your people follox ing the lead of less civilised nations lot the standard be culture, and '.ot money and the ability to fling u about.” so said Mrs Moffat Clow, a distinguished Ulsterwoman, who arrived in Whangarei today. In the course of a world tour, Mis Clow arrived in New Zealand l ast - June, intending to stay for a few days only However, as a world executive member of the W.C.T.U., she was prevailed upon to remain and assist m the temperance compaign. In an interview this morning she expressed surprise at the apathetic attitude adopted by New Zealanders, even many of those who were in the 'cause, to the coming licensing poll. ‘The people do not realise the privilege which has been given to them, 1 ' . she said. “The younger ones seem to take it as a matter of course.” Amusements and the Church.

Mrs Clow is keenly interested in youth work, and is a leading member of the Christian Endeavour Union of Great Britain and Ireland. She says the Christian Endeavour movement is very strong at Home, particularly in Ireland, where it is growing rapidly among the young people of all denominations. In her home town, Portadown, which has a population o t 12,500, and in the surrounding district there are 20 branches of the Christian Endeavour Society, with a membership of about 500. “Such movements do a great deal to foster the spiritual life,” Mrs Clow remarked. “We do not encourage amusements or entertainments in connection with our churches, and Ulster would think it anathema to hold a church dance.” Pleased with the North t

During her stay in New Zealand, Mrs Clow has travelled from Auckland to the Bluff. She made her first contact with Northland at Dargaville, where she addressed a meeting last night. “The trip in the service car here was a revelation to me,” she said. “I did not realise that you have such good roads in New Zealand, and the .farms on these main routes are not really isolated when they are linked so well by these regular services. It was quite intriguing seeing the cheery driver delivering messages, parcels or letters at almost every house.” Reminiscent of Donegal.

“The country between Dargaville and Whangarei,” Mrs Clow continued, “reminded me of County Donegal. The greenness of New Zealand astonished me, being particularly refreshing after the burnt-up look of Australia during last summer’s drought. Coming from the Emerald Isle, where we, too, have a copious rainfall, I find that the restful greenness of your countryside has been delightful.” Mrs Clow sees tremendous possibilL ties for expansion in the comparatively sparsely settled North. She was pleased with the tidy appearance of the well kept farms, and believes that obviously the primary producers are making the best of a fertile land. “The painted houses and red rdbfs create a fine appearance,” said Mrs Clow. “New Zealanders visiting Ireland, no doubt. would be chai'med with the white-washed cottages and the thatched roofs, but, from the standpoint of health and hygiene, the residences do not compare with those of New Zealand. Outside the Irish cities the housing conditions for labourers .are very primitive.” Conditions in Ulster. “From what I have gathered you must have had good labour laws in New Zealand and a standard of wages higher in comparison with a country like Ireland, so that your plane of living is higher in consequence.” Mrs Clow said that conditions economically in Ulster were on the up grade. Last year there were more ships on the stocks in Belfast than for many years, and the linen trade, the other staple industry, was showing signs of revival. “New Zealand children speak nicely and seem intelligent and straightforward,” she said. “Schools are further apart than in parts of Australia with a corresponding density of population.” Religion is Slipping. “I do not know whether it is the effect of your climate,” Mrs Clow concluded, with a smile, “but the people of New Zealand seem strangely apathetic towards good causes and religion generally. I am sorry to see the country slipping in spiritual things. There is no such decline in Ulster.” This afternoon Mrs Clow addressed the Whangarei branch of the W.C.T.U. and will address a public meeting this evening.