TOUR REVIEWED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23880, 3 February 1941, Page 9

TOUR REVIEWED

Mil. NOEL COWARD ATTITUDE TO THE WAR SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS * The opinion that there was "a little apathy ' among the Dominion's civilian population toward the war was expressed by the distinguished playwright, composer and actor, Mr. Noel Coward, when commenting on Saturday on his recent tour of New Zealand. Mr. Coward said the attitude of men in i the services was excellent, and he admitted that his criticism of the outlook of the civilian population might be unfair as lie had not been in the country long enough to judge. During his tour, which lasted two and a-lialf weeks, Mr. Coward has broadcast and given public entertainments in aid of patriotic funds. Earlier lie made a similar tour of Australia, lasting six weeks, and lie will leave Auckland to-dav by clipper for America. Beauty of Dominion ".New Zealand is the most beautiful country 1 have ever seen, but I am very sad that I could not get to the West Coast, which I particularly wanted to see," said Mr. Coward. "Wherever I have been I have enjoyed it enormously and everyone has been very kind to me*. 1 have been very interested in all I have seen, and in happier times I hope to return for a longer visit." In New Zealand Mr. Coward gave 21 concerts and visited many military camps. ft "The feeling of the services about the war is absolutely 100 per cent." he said. "As far as the civilian population is concerned. I am not so sure, because 1 have not been in the country long enough to judge. Hut I should think that their realisation of the real events going on needs a little stiffening." Gift from Pensioner Thousands of letters from people who have heard his broadcasts and concerts have been received by Mr. Coward since he began his tour of Australia and New Zealand. While in New Zealand he has received up to 50 letters daily. Many people have sent Mr. Coward poems, plays and music for criticism, while there have been hundreds of requests for autographs and autographed photographs. Several presentations have been made to Mr. Coward. Notable among these were a carved tobacco jar and a carved inkstand, presented by Maoris at Rotorn a. At Christchurch he was given a violin, made largely from New Zealand woods by an old-age pensioner, who formerly played in orchestras in England. Violin-making is a hobby of the donor. Mr. < toward was the guest of the management at the State Theatre. Symonds Street, on Saturday night. Many people secured his autograph in the interval, and a crowd of some hundreds greeted him in the entrance at tho conclusion of the programme-