PARTING IMPRESSIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13886, 25 April 1907, Page 6

PARTING IMPRESSIONS.

The New Zealander lias, as a type, not escaped the accusation of being unduly self-sufficient. It is to be hoped those New Zealanders whose' qualities are a justification of the charge and in whom prido of race is excessive will not read the speech in which Captain Atkin, the British Commissioner to the Exhibition, expressed his valedictory .sentiments to his Christchurch friends—sentiments, of course, for the benefit of the < colony generally. For it is to be feared that those who already lack a sense of proportion in regard to New Zealand's present importance iu the world will hardly have that deficiency diminished by a digestion of all the tactful and kind tilings which the British Commissioner has been ( 'prompted to say about this land and its people. However, Captain Atkin's speech is very pleasant reading, and is very welcome as expressing, as we have no doubt it does, the honest opinion of one who has had valuable opportunities of making a critical observation of conditions in this country, and whoso habit is obviously not to leap to hasty conclusions. It is really gratifying to find that the British' Commissioner will take back to the Old Country so favourable an impression of our colony and so many pleasant recollections of his sojourn among us. The high educational value of the British Court at the Exhibition, and its stiniulating influence from an Imperial point of view,-have been frequently emphasised, but without doubt the interest attaching to the exhibit was not a little enhanced by virtue of the zeal and courtesy with which the Commissioner devoted himself to the task of expounding its lessons and carrying out the excellent idea the British Government had in view in sending its instructive contribution from tlie Motherland to these distant shores. Captain Atkin appears to have been impressed with one or two things in particular which he noticed in this part of the world. Like Sir John Gorst, .lie admires the physique and health of the New Zealand hoys and girls, and lie suspects them evidently of equally excellent- qualities of mihd. Let it be noted that the British Commissioner in expressing bis delight in our Cadet movement- lays stress oil the fact that Hie training it involves must benefit materially the youth of the colony, apart from its value from a military point ot view, and we take it he-implies that the source of that benefit i? the discipline which has its effect in improving the manners of the boys. His own words in referring to the universal military service of the foreign boy were: "As a result of military discipline a public opinion had been created which would not tolerate that inconsiderate and impossible behaviour

which sometimes passed without remark on the part of the British youth." The manners of the colonial youth have been a target for a good deal of criticism at times, which nobody has shown to bo unjustified, and wo are glad to see an important aspect of the Cadet movement emphasised.- Then Captain Atkin's observation seems to hnvo convinced him of tlio determination of Now Zealanders to become a new people; not a, separate people, but. "something quite unlike what is to bo seen at Home." It can at least be said, wo think, of New Zealnnders as a class, that they are not devoid of independence and individuality, and that they are not remarkably font!) of demonstrating that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Then tho British Commissioner's tactful touch rested lightly upon a. variety of other matters, liis references to which, while always well considered, were undoubtedly calculated to mark liim as a man of very excellent discernment from the New Zealander's point of view. Healthy boys and girls, beautiful scenery, enterprise, patriotism, and so forth—it may not seem a very new story, but Captain Atkin told it remarkably well. His assurance that the Exhibition has already had a good effect in raising the standard of the fine arts in the colony V'e are quite prepared to accept. Without doubt the Exhibition contributed liberally to the -education of thousands, arid not least so in tho field of art and music. It is our misfortune to be far removed from those treasure-houses of art in which the Old World cities of note are so rich. Wo have not .'the British Museum for our' free publio library, nor is it of much use having a passing fancy for a stroll in the National Gallery, but tho desire to do a thing may be a much more valuable possession than the opportunity to do it. After all, it says something for the [native-born New Zealander that he does not seem to be considered a. barbarian by visitors. Doubtless that acquisitiveness to which Captain Atkin made passing reference has contributed not a little to his education. During his connection with the Exhibition Captain Atkin showed himself to ho the right man for the position he filled, and we hope that when next New Zealand holds an Exhibition we may be visited by a British Commissioner no less able than he to assist in fostering 'the kindliest of feelings iu New Zealanders towards' the land he represents.