IMPRESSIONS OF GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 9

IMPRESSIONS OF GERMANY

LEADS IN EDUCATION LONDON, *2411i September. Mr John Louth, of Wellington, who with Mrs Booth has been on a tour of Belgium ami Germany, considers that The latter country' iii educational ipattors loads the world.' “Before the war,” he said, “children on reaching the age of nine commenced to learn French and later English. This is now changed and English leads. The reason is that English is a kindred language to German and easily acquired. Besides English is spoken by at least four times as many people as speak French and the trade between Germany and America is very extensive and growing daily. I “Another innovation in the German educational system is the “Rambling Day.” Teachers take parties of children numbering from 12 to 20 for a ramble. It may be to discuss thg city’s monuments or'for a day in the country. In the latter case they generally start early, go fifty miles by rail, tramp five oi“ ten miles, and return in the evening from another station. How many Wellington. children have ever seen the, beauties of New Zealand in a tramp through the Manawatu Gorge? “Bitumen roads are a great success, and we are all proud of the Hutt road, hut bitumen floor cloth is something new. It resembles linoleum in. finish, costs about half, and wears better. Waste paper and rags are teased fine and take the place of cirri? in linoleum. The bond is with bitumen. There is a, possible use for the sawdust which in New Zealand gives so much trouble to sawmillers.

NEW ZEALAND APPLES

“It is a great pleasure to New Zealanders in England,” said Mr Booth, “to see New Zealand apples being carted through the streets. The labels are so homelike. But Why must the advertising be confined tc< the cases? Every lorry might he made a medium of advertising. The public must be made to sit up and take notice. Visitors to the Leipzig Fair looked in vain for New Zealand apples in the fruit stalls. Californian apples were everywhere. Perhaps the New Zealand apples were all sold out.” Mr Booth went on to mention that aBirmingham firm of aluminium spinners contemplate removing their plant to Australia or to New Zealand, whichever otters the most favourable prospect. .“Much,” he said, “might be said on both sides, but moot will depend on the initial advantages such as duty payable on plant and raw material, cost of power sites. The Minister of Customs is to be approached on the matter. It is to he hoped that Mr Downie Stewart will give the matter sympathetic consideration/’ “Post” correspondent.