VISITOR IMPRESSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21329, 2 November 1932, Page 14

VISITOR IMPRESSED

MONTH IN NEW ZEALAND INDIVIDUALITY OF CENTRES "UNFORGETTABLE GENEROSITY" [BY TELEGRArH —OWN COBTIESrONDENT] WELLINGTON. Tuesday "A very happy month" was tho description applied by Dr. J. IT. Rushbrooke, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, to the four weeks he lias just spent in New Zealand. Dr. Rushbrooke left for America by the Makura this afternoon and, interviewed before his departure, spoke of some of New Zealand's characteristics. "I am immensely impressed by many things," said Dr. Rushbrooke. "First of all. of course, New Zealand has certain natural features that are unique in the world. Iceland has geysers, hut not of tho variety of New Zealand's—your whole thermal region is so extremely fascinating and varied. "I have been struck also by tho individuality of your four largest cities," Dr. Rushbrooke continued. -"They are about as widely different as four Englishspeaking cities in the same Dominion could be. There is emphatically a Scottish stamp upon Duncdin, so that when I was speaking in tho Town Ilall and lot the word 'English* drop accidentally I at once withdrew it from motives of prudence in favour of British. And then there is an emphatically English and Anglican stamp upon Christchurch. I almost think the founders of Christchurch must have turned in their graves to know that for the past six years a Baptist pastor has been Mayor of the city and is now acting-Mayor. "Auckland left on me very vivid impressions for a score of reasons. I was puzzled by it. I understand that, with its suburbs, it has nearly 250.000 inhabitants. I really wondered how they lived. One can understand Wellington as a port with a very lino harbour, and as capital city, but there must be an enormously fertile hinterland to support a great city like Auckland. "I should like to acknowledge very sincerely the remarkable hospitality of New Zealandcrs," said Dr. Rushbrooke. "It would be impossible to give an adequate acknowledgment. The exceeding generosity to one from the Old Country is unforgettable. Indeed, it thrilcd mo everywhere to hear New Zealandcrs, some of whom had never been outside their own Dominion, speak of Britain as -Home.' "I felt it a special privilege," Dr. Rushbrooke concluded, "that I have had tho opportunity of talking with your Prime Minister, and also that His Excellency the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloo honoured me with an invitation to lunch. I certainly am leaving with the hope that ere many years my steps may turn in this direction again."