LAND OF CONTRASTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23157, 1 October 1938, Page 22

LAND OF CONTRASTS

| '[CONDITIONS IN MEXICO DOMINION OFFICIAL'S VISIT is a land of contrasts, in primitive and modern customs and development, but I found a remarkable absence of tho dangers which are supposed to;exist in everyday life there," said Mr. A. G. Harper, of Wellington, officer in charge of local government for the Department of Internal Affairs, who returned by the Mariposa yesterday from an official visit to Mexico and America. Mr. Harper represented the Government at the International Town-Plan-ning and Housing Congress, held last month in Mexico City. About 400 delegates attended the conference, but thero was no representation from any Central European country because of the international crisis. Keen interest was taken in addresses given by Mr. Harper' on New Zealand conditions, as regards planning, housing, labour, use of leisure and the climate. A report on the congress and investigations into local government problems in America"' will be supplied to the Government by Mr. Harper. ... N "]. found Mexico a fascinating-coun-try, in which Americans are taking a keen interest," said -Mr. Harper. 'The tourist traffic is having an unfortunato influence on quaint towns and happy people, but this is inevitable. Some parts of Mexico are almost the last word in modern design and method, but the primitive parts, with a total | disregard of anything beautiful or healthy, are as backward as one could imagine. Many small villages aro still only rcachod by donkey or packhorse, in spite of extensive road and railway eystems." -