NEW ZEALAND PRAISED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20338, 20 August 1929, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND PRAISED.

AMERICAN'S COMMENTS.

EVERY MAN A GENTLEMAN.

[from our own correspondent.]

NEW YORK, July 24

In their chronicles of tours abroad, Americans pay higher tribute to New Zealand and its people than they do to any other country. A visit to New Zealand disturbs their illusion of a group of islands a week-end's trip from Sydney—of a country that is overshadowed by Australia. Such a traveller is Dr. J. Warren Harper, of Hartford, Connecticut, whose impressions of the Dominion are contained in a full-page illustrated article in the Hartford Daily Times. . "Due to its insularity and remoteness, it is a little world of its own," he says. "Its Government is not socialistic, although many of its utilities and institutions aro under Government control. In a tour of 20 countries we never met a more kindly, friendly, courteous or hospitable peoplo than those ftf New Zealand. Every man is a gentleman. Courtesy is second nature to him. "When he meets with his fellows, lie is not noisy; ho lights his pipe and speaks in natural, quiet tones. Wild hilarity is unknown. Moreover, he is mindful of those little amenities that ought to be more common with us than they are. In the midst of business hoyrs ho may invite you to a cup of tea. Think of a land that takes life ,so sanely that in the midst of its affairs it has time for the hospitality of a cup'of tea.

" "We met and were entertained at the homes of several of the representative peoplo of several largo cities, whose hospitality we shall never forget. We came into daily contact with many little acts of kindness—even to a Scotsman on the stream who gave us a dozen trout flies. Because of a people much liko those of your own country, you soon fee' at homo and forget tho miles that intervene."

Dr. Harper finds fault with New Zealand hero and there. The presence of an occasional barmaid—are there any left in the New Zealand hotels ?—ho terms "a blot upon the escutcheon and a disgrace to womanhood." Dealing witli the claim that there is no poverty in New Zealand, ho is a bit doubtful, for bo saw somo ''old, poorly-dressed wrecks hanging round flie bars of some of the smaller towns," "For, damn prohibition as we will, it is a relief not to find a saloon on every corner, as compared to New Zealand, with a bar in every hotel, with but few exceptions." Here are somo of his comments :

"Auckland has a splendid harbour and a climato that knows no ice, snow, cyclones, heat-waves' or droughts "Wellington, a fine city, with splendid harbour and background of hills, on which are located some of its cosy homes and delightful suburbs.

"Christchurch, English in atmosphere, English in its cathedral, English in its superb Canterbury College, as though a part of old Oxford had been transplanted there.

"Dunedin, like Rome, is spread over surrounding hills and on reclamation from the harbour; there is a strong suspicion that it is largely Presbyterian. "fnvercargill has prohibition, and is saifl to bo one of the most prosperous cities in New Zealand."