FORTUNATE PEOPLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 11

FORTUNATE PEOPLE

NEW ZEALAND RESIDENTS "GRUMBLE WITHOUT REASON" IMPRESSIONS OF A GERMAN "If I were in New Zealand without any money, I think I would find living quite easy. If I could not catch fish or hunt, I would go to anyone at all and ask for a cup of tea —and 1 j would be all right for a week," said Mr. A. Leopold, a German business man, who is visiting Christchurch. Mr. Leopold has been in New Zealand for nearly two years, but only now considers himself qualified to discuss conditions here. Mr. Leopold said he had been amazed to see crowds of young people in New Zealand going into shops for ice creams, to the pictures, and to supper afterwards. "That would be quite impossible in Europe," he added. "There we are quite satisfied if we can earn enough for one decent meal in a day and one other small meal. "Some months ago there was a strike in Wellington because the men thought they did not have enough at £4 8s a week. I wondered at that, because in Germany a professional man, a doctor or a lawyer, works for that j amount with pleasure. Our standard of j life is much lower. New Zcalanders are j very well off, and they don't know it. | They growl all the time and without any reason." "Too Much Food" Mr. Leopold's only comment on New Zealand food was that there was too much of it. "I find that I have to take j seven meals a day," lie said. "Otherwise I would insult the hotel proprietors. I have a cup of tea in the morning, and then a big breakfast; then 1 go to see a business man, and ' lie says to me, 'Come in, Mr. Leopold, and have a cup of tea.' Then there is luncheon, and afternoon tea, then a very rich dinner and then supper. "When I take the average of knowledge among all Now Zealand people 1 find that there is a very high standard. Taste out here is in many ways more cultivated than on the Continent. I have been astonished to find the knowledge of a New Zealand schoolboy of the geographical positions of I countries. If a New Zealander came | to Germany and spoke German as I speak English, with a wrong accent, the people would not have much time I for him. But in New Zealand they allow you time to express yourself. Kindness to Strangers "I have a feeling that nature colours the soul of the people of New j Zealand, and that that is why they \ are so nice to strangers," said Mr. Leopold. "I wish that I could show to my countrymen New Zealand as it is. You are so well off because nature here is so wonderful and so rich. The mountains are more beautiful than anywhere in the world. It is not necessary to go to Mount Cook. It is n6t necessary to look for nature —nature comes to you." Mr. Leopold added that he was very glad to bo 12,000 miles away from European troubles. He said he intended to write a book about New Zealand. He considered that more | should be done to let people in Europe j know of its natural beauties, j Rotorua. he said, disappointed him. i He considered that the natural beauty | of much of the district had been spoiled j by too much care for the convenience | of tourists, and that the Dominion's I scenery should be left without, for ; example, such conveniences as seats ! placed beside geysers in the thermal | regions.