“RUDE AWAKENING”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 October 1926, Page 3

“RUDE AWAKENING”

AMERICAN SENTIMENT TOWARDS BRITAIN

“GROSS MISREPRESENT YU ON" •■Tiie Kuoner the British people realise the real attitude of America towards them, the better." This opinion was expressed by Sir Joseph Carruthers, of Sydney, Leader of the Upper House in the New South Wales I’ai liament, who was a through passenger from San Francisco by the Alakura and who, in an interview with a Dominion' reporter, spoke freely of the misrepresentation be found in the 1 nited States with legard to Britain and the Umpire.

CAPTAIN COOK'S DEATH

'1 have, been on a live, months’ tour m the. Pacific and to California for health reasons, ’ said Sir Joseph Catruthers. “It was my third visit to the Hawaiian Island where 1 have now ■completed my investigations regarding Captain Cook's visit to anil death at Hawaii. I have, been fortunate in obtaining new material which clears yp several matters [litherto in doubt. The people of the territory of Hawaii are arranging to have a great celebration on the 150th anniversary of the death of Captain Cook, and invitations will Lie sent to Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the French Government to he represented on the occasion. This event will mean the placing of Cook's memory and reputation in its proper place in the American mind.

IMPRESSIONS OF UNITED STATES

“I visited the mainland of the United States for the first time, but 1 confined my visit to the important State of California. 1 received most hospitable treatment, especially from the city authorities, and from the University of California, and I toured some thousands ot miles through the fertile Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, and also in tlio Los Angeles district. [Whilst, greatly impressed with the productivity of California, f am convinced that neither die land nor lire climate there is equal 1,, that of a great part of Eastern An-.c-nlia. Oi*e wo get the population, Australia, will progress even more than California. Land in the farming districts of that State sells at- £6O to £BO per acre unimproved. Better land in the -Murray Valley of New South Wales and Victoria can be procured today at about £3 pur acre unimproved. “I was disappointed in some respects in the land settlement of California. Many farmers there are doing badly, and must quit farming. Lucerne and oaten hay is selling at from £2 10s to £3 per ton, and that price cannot pay. Our farmers gel, a. much better price. The fad is that motor ears have replaced horses in most parts of the United States, and there is less demand for hay feed except for dairy herds. In every ease where 1 visited a ranch or farm in Hie fruit-raising districts, I was informed by the owners that they had discarded the horse entirely. I feel sure that there are many American farmers who would gladly settle in Australia or New Zealand if they were given the chance and knew our coun-

try . “A RUDE AWAKENING"

“I got- a rude awakening as to the sentiment of the mass of Americans towards Great Britain and oatr Empire. Except from cultured men of the university groups, 1 never heard any expression of sympathy with Great Britain or the dominions. On the other hand, there was plenty of gross misrepresentation about the British Empire—Hie result of political propaganda from men like Senators Borah and lliram Johnson, and by the Hearst [tress. The big men of the Republican and Dernieratic parties arc fair-minded and friendly, but they are few and far between in the 'Multitude of Americans.

“I am convinced that self-interest' is the dominating influence governing Americans in the mass. They prefer to play the part of the Pharisee and leave the Good Samaritan park for some oilier people. Tile sooner the "British people realise the real attitude of America towards them the better. ■

“It is a great pity that Great Britain rushed in and made its debt settlement before there was a general conference on all the debts due. between the Allies. As-matters now stand, Great Britain gets no credit- for its action, and is treated as a trade rival, to be handicapped rather than helped in tlie slightest way. America- is very prosperous jo-day, but its prosperity is deadening its humanity' towards those enduring adversity.

“A rude awakening "will come sooner or later, when it is realised that the world is interdependent in its parts, and that no nation can continue to he prosperous if its neighbours are ort the verge of ruin, as is the ease 10-dav.”