Kaitaia Welcomes Mr. A. R. Cutler, V.C.

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 20, 6 December 1946, Page 3

Kaitaia Welcomes Mr. A. R. Cutler, V.C.

A Distinguished Personality The fact that Mr. A. R. Cutler V.C. and Mrs. Cutler had honoured the Far North with a visit at the outset of their stay in New Zealand was well appreciated, said Mr. Rhys C. Williams, President of the Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the Australian High Commissioner and his wife to Kaitaia. Congratulating Mr. Cutler on his appointment as High Commissioner to New Zealand, and on his war service and outstanding award, Mr. Williams wished both Mr. and Mrs. Cutler every success for their future stay in New Zealand. The public had been invited to attend this quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening to extend a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Cutler, and all sections of the community were well represented. Soon after his arrival in New Zealand, said Mr. Cutler, he had received the impression that the country commenced at Auckland and ended at Christchurch. It was to prove the impression false that these trips to the Far South and the Far North had been made. A man in his position must acquaint himself with as many of the people and as much of the country as possible. To see what the j people were like and what they j thought, one had to get away from j the capital city. Mr. and Mrs Cutler had been hos- i pitably received in Southland but they hail been equally well received and impressed with the Northland. Northland had a great future, said Mr. Cutler, and this would be fully realised in the years to come. The country was not opened up as well as it might be. More roads w ere necessary while the present roads needed improving. During the war years much of the district’s produce had been taken out by sea transport, but now the County would have to turn to the improvement of roads. Northland would and could improve, he said. Australia was closely associated with New Zealand ; in fact over 100 years ago New Zealand was a part of New South Wales. By trade, this association had continued, he said, to be increased during the two war periods when men from both Dominions saw something of each other’s country. Australia was now selling more to New Zealand than they purchased with the result that this country was constantly calling on her British Sterling Exchange. However Australia needed seeds, whale oil, lactose, pumice and timber, all of which New Zealand could export. For her size, Australia had a poor output of timber for building purposes and the manufacture of paper pulp. With the afforestation schemes operating in New Zealand timber export would come, which would help this country to balance up that adverse difference in trade. Australia’s annual wool cheque, said Mr. Cutler, was £65 million. The country, however, had gone ahead in the industrial trade. Her output of steel had increased. It was lagging now, however, on account of the wartime gap but this would be overcome. In 1939 Australian steel was the cheapest and best in the world. Newcastle, which was really a beautiful spot, had a false reputation. It possessed two or three beautiful golden beaches, but Mr. Cutler had noticed in his trip north in New Zealand, several comparable beaches. The size of Australia was difficult to comprehend. New Zealand would fit into the area of his country 29 times. Including Tasmania, the coastline was 12,000 miles long. Most of the inland was arid waste where several aborigine tribes lived in the desert. The size of Australian cities was difficult to comprehend, but from his countrymen’s viewpoint these cities were too small. The majority of Australian people lived in the cities, one-third of the total population in Sydney and Melbourne. That position tended to make the country top heavy and endeavours were now being made to build factories and assembly plants in rural areas to offset this trend. Attempts were also being made to provide better amenities in the country. Few aborigines live in the arid inland waste now, continued Mr. Cutler. There were only about 48,000 left. While New Zealand was noted for its Maori and Pakeha relations, the aboriginals were a backward race both morally and physically. The kindest thing to do for them was to let them live in their normal surroundings. Their habits were primitive while they believed all sorts of fantastic stories. Many of these natives made a few pounds during the war, said Mr. Cutler, selling boomerangs to the Americans. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the King George Graving Dock were cited as tw 0 major examples of Australian workmanship. Completed in 1931 the Bridge was 23 miles long, 1 the main archway accommodating

traffic lanes, and rail, tram and pas senger tracks. The dock would accommodate th< largest ship afloat, it already having taken many of the capital ships o: the British Fleet. During the wai Japanese submarines made an attacl on this dock, creeping through th< boom in the wake of the cruiser Chi cago. Little damage was done luckily, but the consequences might wel have been very serious. Australia’s population of 7& millions was small for the area of the country. The Government was fully aware of this problem but there must be immigration as well as health schemes. It was estimated that Australia could absorb 2i percent of the present population into the country per annum. The general plan was to bring in people from British and Scandinavian countries. An agreement had been drawn up between Australia and the United Kingdom whereby servicemen would be admitted to the country and set up in positions. Assistance would also be given non-servicemen. Employment in Australia at present was not hard to obtain. The assembly,and stamping out of the bodywork for cars had been done in Australia for some time. They now aimed to produce an Australiandesigned and built car. Production of aircraft during tha war went ahead until finally the country was producing all the planes used by the R.A.A. F. At the close of the ’war Lincoln bombers were coming off the assembly line. Characteristics of the people of New Zealand and Australia differed little, said Mr. Cutler. (Laughter).

5- Discussing some of the larger Aus tralian cities, Mr. Cutler said tha e Melbourne was a centre of learnins g —a city noted for its culture. Witl f a first class University it was th< r. centre of the medical profession. It; k citizens were the most conservativt e of any Australian city. Queensland was the least developed - state, and comparable to the North--1 land. He was sure that agriculture and primary production would in- . crease there, however, s Mr. Cutler denied reports of a f crime wave in Sydney. In his lifet time the only exciting event he had 1 seeri in Sydney was a test match. Adelaide was a pretty city, bounded by gardens. Here, Mr. Cutler stated, he had noticed that much forethought had been given to the ' planning of New Zealand cities. Gardens and playing areas were plenti--1 ful. Perth was perhaps the best known of all Australian cities to New Zealanders. It possessed natural beauty and it had the added advantage of not being too large. Because Sydney and Melbourne could not agree, Canberra was made the capital of Australia. It was a city designed and built for the future. In conclusion Mr. Cutler thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to talk to the public and he then expressed the desire to meet everybody in the hall. Both he and Mrs. Cutler moved amongst the audience, chatting and answering numerous questions. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler were met on their arrival in Kaitaia by representatives of the Local Bodies. Later

>- they were introduced to the Mayor it of Kaitaia, Mr. J. T. B. Taaffe, who g is at present confined to bed. h On Wednesday morning they were e taken to see the Ninety Mile beach s and other places of interest before e departing for Opononi and Dargaville. 1 8 R.S.A. ENTERTAIN MR. AND MRS. CUTLER Prior to his address in the Parish 1 Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr. A. R. - Cutler V.C. and Mrs. Cutler were en--1 tertained by Kaitaia R.S.A. members and their wives in the Council Chambers. Mr. Cutler moved freely amongst

; the returned men, chatting, swapping I experiences, and discussing the varied | aspects of life in both countries. Mr. J. W. Dawson, on behalf of all the returned men, welcomed both Mr. and Mrs. Cutler. In his reply Mr. Cutler told two or three anecdotes confirming the sincere friendship of

liic /a uhti ct 11 ci 11 aim iNew Zicaianci soldier from Gallipoli to Vella Lavella. He thanked the R.S.A. for arranging such an informal gathering to enable him to meet the returned men. Both he and his wife had had a busy | day and the pleasant gathering was ! much appreciated.