ENGLISH VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22941, 20 January 1938, Page 10

ENGLISH VISITORS

The people of this Dominion, it can be confidently said, greet with sincere pleasure the prospect of a visit by a party of English public school boys. In Auckland happy recollections are cherished of a similar visit about fifteen years ago. It was prompted by the same purpose and organised generally on the same lines. After their return to England many of the lads wrote interesting accounts of the tour, and letters received here from them gave proof of deep appreciation of what they had seen in New Zealand. These letters were not altogether uncritical, but they were marked by a warm friendliness for the country that had entertained them for a few instructive weeks. More than one of these visitors expressed an intention of returning at some time to become New Zealand farmers. Whatever history may have to say in comment on those hopes, the visit was an occasion of happy association of hosts and guests, and could not fail to promote a mutual regard serving to strengthen the bond between the Homeland and the Dominion. It was noted that many of the members of that party had outgrown the age of boyhood as New Zealanders usually think of it. This fact, although not a surprise to those aware of the nature of a "public school" in England, sharply emphasised the value of such a visit; it meant that minds by no means juvenile were being exercised on all that was seen and heard. No doubt this feature will again distinguish the group of guests, making them doubly welcome in their quietly manful bearing. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, as he proceeds with his preliminary arrangements for the tour, can count on the cordial assistance of everybody whose help he seeks.