NEW ZEALAND'S CHARM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21742, 6 March 1934, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND'S CHARM

OF PEOPLE

CIVILITY AND COURTESY ENGLISHMAN'S IMPRESSIONS The ciyility unci courtesy of New Zealanders and t'bo scope offered by the country for future expansion are two points which have most impressed Sir Walter Windham, a prominent Englishman. who is leaving Auckland by the Aorangi to-day nfter a holiday visit to the Dominion. "I have speht two months in New Zealand," Sir Walter said yesterday, "and although I have been travelling, for years, this trip has been a joy throughout.

"New Zealanders are a wonderful people," Sir Walter continued. "Your kindness, courtesy and hospitality are unequalled anywhere else in the world. I am not saying this out of any mistaken sense of kindness, but simply because everywhere I have been New Zealanders have, oi : thoir own accord, put themselves to endless trouble to see that Lady Windham and myself have enjoyed ourselveii. Progiesti ol Country "In hotels ii> iu perfectly easy to distinguish New Zealanders from overseas visitors. The New Zealander stands out instantly by reason of his unfailing civility. This iij a quality . which has to be bought and paid for in many other countries, bu'; your people seem to have an inborn SBnse of its true significance. If cuiily for the pleasure of meeting New Zealanders, a visit to New Zealand is worth anyone's time."

The progress made in the country in such a comparative ily short time was another tribute to the qualities of the people of the Dominion, Sir Walter continued., JNatura hacl been generous in the first place, hut there had been many difficulties to overcome. Some of the roads were -sti'll far from perfect, but he had heard that it was only a few years ago thafc horses had to be used on main highways to drag motor-cars from the mud. He appreciated the improvements that mast have been carried out during tho past few years. "I have not been particularly fortunate with regard! to your fishing," Sir Walter said. "I am convinced that anglers should be told in England that the best fly-fishing in the Dominion can only be obtained at the latter end of the season. I do not consider trolling to be fishing in tha true sense of the word, and if I pay a second visit to New Zealand I intond to come toward the end of March and then fish until the close of ihe stason. Unfavourable conditions this yej,r may have had something to do with the poor fishing, but your own experts confirm my opinion that the latter part of the season yields the best sport. More Tourist Publicity

"The scenic sitti actions of the Dominion are unparalleled and you have everything to pleas® the overseas visitors. In my opinion, you should carry out more tourist publicity in England. If one goes :im search of information to New Zealf.no! one is given every possible assistance, but more should be done to catch the attention in the first place. Store extensive newspaper advertising ind the holding of exhibitions aie two avenues of publicity that could possibly be further explored. "The Maoris lire a wonderful people and I am suro that if a concert party/ were to be sent on a tour of England it would be ant outstanding success. Their singing and dancing are unique." Sir Walter added that he hoped New Zealanders would not forget the part played in tho development of their country by the British mercantile marine. British, ships were faced with subsidised foraign competition, and it would be a mime if because of this British service!) w>jre forced out of existence.