VISIT TO IRELAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6311, 11 September 1907, Page 6

VISIT TO IRELAND

THE EXHIBITION. A COLONIAL CLIMATE AND PEOPLE. (By J. L. Kelly.) DUBLIN, July 11th, 1907. There was a time when New Zealand was called "New Ireland,”. and I remember seeing a map of the country on which the chief divisions were designated Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connaught. Never having ascertained the reason of this nomenclature, I rushed—perhaps rashly—to the conclusion that it was adopted because Now Zealand was, like Ireland, devoid of snakes. Since , visiting the Emerald Isle, I have found several better reasons—points of resemblance as between the two coun- : tries—which incline mo to believe that the man who bestowed upon Now Zealand the name of "New Ireland” had a better conception of the eternal fitness of things than had the adventurous Dutchman who christened it by the name that seems fated to stick to it. Personally I think it would have been well, when donning the new dignity and title bestowed upon it, if the country had been called "the Dominion of Oceania”; but that is by‘the way. Ireland, beyond all question, has a more familiar and congenial aspect to the colonial visitor than any other part of the United Kingdom. The absence of snakes does not strike one, for is a feature now common to most European countries. What does impress one is the similarity of the summer climate to that of New Zealand. With the arrival of the Royal visitors, we had "king’s weather” in King’s County, and the soft, moist warmth was reminiscent of the New Zealand summer. One day passed the border lino of pleasantness, and developed a degree of "mugginess” seldom experienced in the new dominion outside of Auckland. The dress of the Dublin ladies is "colonial” in colour and cut. Light, flowing draperies, worn becomingly on tall and slender figures, make the New Zealander in Dublin feel that he is among people akin to his own. Most of all, however, does Ireland resemble New Zealand in the generally happy demeanour of her people, in their generous and hospitable disposition, and in their free and unconventional manners. A railway or tramway journey is in England an' infliction of dreary silence ana reserve; in Scotland, a convivial and controversial meeting, as chance may decide; in Ireland, a perennial* delight, because of the almost unvarying politeness, pleasantness, and approachableness of the people. It I is, however, in respect to happiness that the Irish most closely resemble the New Zealanders. The Welsh run the Emerald Islander pretty close, for at Cardiff I saw a crowd of some thousands enjoying themselves hugely at an open-air fete, amidst a cold drizzle such as, in the month of July, would have sent Wellingtomans indoors, shivering. Another point of resemblance between Po,tlandors and Maqrilanders is their devotion to horse-racing—and to betting. To-day I visited the races at Leopardstown, got up specially for the Royal visitors, and observed how some twenty thousand Irish men and women conduct themselves on such occasions. To all intents and purposes, the ;gathenng might have been one in New 1 Zealand. There were the same immense' crowds of well-dressed people, there was the same: interest in the various ©vents, and there was the same rush for dividends” after the numbers went up—the only difference being that the rush was to some scores of bookmakers instead of to the totalisator. There .was' the same copious drinking, and the same absence of drunkenness, as one is accustomed to see*' on colonial racecourses, and there was the same good-humoured squeezing to get into the city-bound trams when the meeting was over. The Irishman has been either grossly libelled in the past, or he has lost all his former hilarity and "devil-may-care-ness.” The amusement to be had at Leopardstown was as subdued in character as it usually is at New Zealand race meetings. There was .no "Irishman all in his glory/ brandishing a blackthorn, and inviting all and sundry to "tramp /on. the tail of his coat;” There was not a single brawl or dispute, or anything the least grotesque or comic. No one complained of, being' "blue-mouldy for want of a batin'.” Most disappointing of all (I may not be believed, but truth compels the statement), there was nothing particularly bright in the comments or repartee or chaff of the "bookies' cardrivers and "boys” and "colleens' generally. All was bright and gay and agreeable, but no more so than New Zealanders are hccustomed to nearly every day of the week.

at the exhibition. ~ "Ton have got a very fine exhibit.” This was'the remark I heard King Edward make to the Hon. W. E. Beeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, as the latter, assisted by Mr E. H. Hooper, was showing the Koyal party over the New Zealand court at the International Exhibition yesterday., I had the privilege of being one of about half-a-dozen present on the occasion, and was walking around with the party, rubbing shoulders with Boyalty, Vice-Eoyal-ty, and I know not what noble aristocrats. Their Majesties looked in excellent health. As an example of the King’s activity, it may be worth mentioning that in the Now Zealand court he accidentally dropped the cigar he was smoking, and, in an instant, before anyone could assist, he ' had stooped down and restored the “weed” to his mouth. The party made the round of the New Zealand court, which/ though small, is well packed with a represent tative display. The King especially noticed a fine stag’s head, and, on his commenting upon it, Mr Beeves was able to remind him that it was his Majesty’s father, the late Prince Consort, who had sent the first deer to New Zealand. Before the Royal party left, Mr Hooper had the honour of being presented to their Majesties. This distinction is well deserved, for Mr Hooper has had practically all to do with the organisation and display of the New Zealand exhibits, and is in full charge of them while the Exhibition lasts.

The: New Zealand court, situated at the main entrance to the Palace of Industries, occupies a position that at once calls attention to it, and many thousands of people have witnessed the display of our products, and seen the model freezing chamber and working model of a large liner discharging frozen mutton. Literature bearing on New Zealand’s lands and industries is freely distributed, and there is an Information Bureau in the court, where Mr Hooper receives visitors desirous of more detailed information. Here, too, are to he seen copies of the “New Zealand Mail," "Canterbury Times," Christchurch 'Tress," and “New Zealand Graphic.” Free copies of the “Mail" Christmas Number were eagerly taken by people interested; the current papers were more valued by New Zealand visitors, of whom Mr Hooper has - seen a good many. Among those present today, in addition to Mr J. C. Morrison fMr Hooper’s assistant) and Mr Palliser (of the High Commissioner's office), was Mr Leo. Myers, of Auckland. Mr Myers, by the way, is spending a few days at the seat of the Earl of Meath, the nobleman who takes such a deep interest in Empire Day, whom Mr Myers had formerly met in connection with the subject of Imperial education. Among recent visitors were Mr and Mrs Owen MoArdle, of Wellington, upon whom I called at the Hotel Metropole, and had a most cordial welcome from them. They had just returned from a visit to Killarney, and I found them divided in opinion as to whether Ireland or New Zealand had the finest scenery. The visi.or who sees only the New Zealand Court and the Canadian pavilion at the Irish International Exhibition is apt fo experience a feeling of disappointment at the comparative in-

significance of the New Zealand display. Canada has spent many thousands ol pounds on a fin© building, and in storing it with splendid specimens of the products of the country, a realistic representation of the wild fauna of the Dominion, many large paintings, etc.; and there is a staff of some thirty persons in charge to give information to visitors. New Zealand has not spent one-tenth of the money, and she has exactly one-tenth of the number of persons m charge; but, in return for ner expenditure, she should have as good results as Canada. It is when he inquires for the Australian and South African exhibits that the visitor realises how enterprising the New Zealand Government has been. Neither the Commonwealth nor any of the South African colonies is roprefuted officially at the Exhibition. Australia has a small representation, it is true, but it take© the shape of '‘side-shows” of products from New South Wales and Western Australia, in connection with the exhibit of the Orient S.S. Company, in the Machinery Department. As compared with these other great outposts of Empire, New Zealand mokes a very brave show indeed, and the journalistic experience of Mr Hooper is of value in having this fact brought prominently under the notice of those Irish people who read the newspapers. The result should be the direction New Zealandwarde of part oi the stream of Irish emigration, and the consequent emphasising of the reeem* blance between Ireland and Maoriland.