MODERN PERSIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 25

MODERN PERSIA

REMARKABLE PROGRESS ~CITIES TRANSFORMED EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD After travelling in many countries of the world, Mrs. R. H. B. Stuart, of London, arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Monterey on her first visit to Australia and New Zealand. After spending some time in Australia, Mrs. Stuart expects to pay a long visit to the Dominion on her way back to England. Although she has travelled considerably in Europe and the United States, and visited India, Africa, China and Japan, Mrs. Stuart said that she was particularly interested in the modern progress of Turkey and Persia. Egypt was another of her favourite countries. "Few people of the Western world .realise the remarkable rate of progress that has taken place in these countries in the last few years," she said. "They •are so much changed that even the landscape seems different from that of 20 years ago." Reza Shah Pahleri Speaking of Persia, or Iran, as it was now called by its own people, Mrs. Stuart said that Reza Shah Pahleri, King of modern Persia, was one of the most dynamic personalities in the world to-day. After assuming the rule of the country by force, he had instituted tremendous changes in the last 17 years, and, while retaining much of its essential character, Persia to-day was very modern and progressive. In Teheran the typical maze of Oriental bazaars had been destroyed and replaced by wider streets and avenues, while the army square, the centre of the city, was surrounded by impressive modern buildings. Ultra-modern light signals controlled traffic at busy intersections and the police were very efficient and numerous. Hotels which could compare with the world's finest, literally studded the cities. Camels and donkeys as beasts of burden were banned from the cities, although still used for overland transport. "The programme undertaken by Reza Shah in Persia is very similar to that of Kemal Attaturk in Turkey," continued Mrs. Stuart, "but, unlike the Turkish ruler, Reza Shah has not replaced, Arabic script with the international alphabet and probably never will. Reza Shah is doing his utmost for his country and is seoking to adapt the best' of Occidental progress to Persia without sacrificing its essential character. Progress of Education "Education in Persia has made great progress in Reza Shah's reign and girls receive very similar education to that of the boys. Co-education is not yet in force, but plans for its adoption are being discussed Nevertheless, Reza Shah is unwilling to introduce the international alphabet into his schools and thus risk the loss of many of Persia's poetic treasures. "With changes in almost every feature of their lives, the Persians, or Irani, retain their own character and are the same peaceful and happy-natured people they have always been. Manners are of paramount importance to the gersian people and never is a,man of good breeding heard to raise his voice in an argument. Shouting and quarelling are left to the caravanserei and in them it becomes merely picturesque." In Astarabad, one ol the largest cities in Persia, Mrs. Stuart spent a week with English friends. She was greatly impressed bv the modernisation of the city and was interested to learn that Iranian newspapers were very up-to-date, containing numerous advertisements for beauty aids and photographs' of women without the veil, minus which before the advent of Reza Shah no Persian woman was allowed to appear in the street. Women's Freedom l'lie wearing of the veil was still adopted by many women, but the new version of it was most attractive. Formerly the faces of the women were swathed so completely that they were totally unrecognisable. Women were also completely free of former restrictions and could now attend the cinema theatres, of which there were several in every city. Men and their wives attended the cinema regularly, and under proper supervision, young unmarried couples were also free to attend. Chaperonage was still in force in Persia, for to the women their dignity and the respect that it commanded was of great importance. "So much has been accomplished in Persia that to-day even the nomadic Turkomans who used to live by brigandage on the Persian borders, are quite docile, and send their children to State schools." said Mrs. Stuart. "In all things Persia is modern and efficient. Tt is free of internal as well as external debts, entirely its own master and sufficient to its needs. Although its progress is very recent, it sets an example to the world in its peace and wise prosperity. The word 'war' has no significance in Persia to-day."