AS OTHERS SEE US

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22024, 5 August 1933, Page 2

AS OTHERS SEE US

"SUNDAY A GLOOMY DAY” AMERICANS’ IMPRESSIONS. The opinions of New Zealand held by some travellers are given in a letter received by Mr F. T. Roberts, of Masterton, who, in a communication to the Wellington Dominion, says:— “The following is ah extract from a letter * I have just received from a friend from Atlanta, in Georgia, United States. I was expecting my friend and five other very financial companions to arrive here to visit New Zealand on a four-months' holiday, but they are not coming now. _ “ ‘ One of our party (writes the American) called in at a travellers’ club in New Haven, the seat of the Yale University. Here he saw a book of notes jotted by the various members of the club in what they call their advice book. Among other remarks about New Zealand were the following:—“ Inhabitants most hospitable; civil servants really courteous; scenery mixed, beauty spots and bare tracts adjacent; inhabitants mostly well dressed, rather good-looking lot, especially jn small country towns; plenty of talk about religion, especially on Anzac Day; roads, even main roads, especially that from Masterton to Pahiatua, very narrow and potty; several narrow, dangerous sections near Rotorua; many miles near larger towns sealed; several blind spots in the country where drink must not be sold; radio immature, no coverage; programmes too dull for visitors; Sunday a radio mourning day; a gloomy day generally; politicians afraid to, strike out for liberty; even a charitable euchre party an offence; bookmakers must, not even be _ mentioned; ‘ spinning jinny ’ at a sale is a crime; few games on Sunday; no objection to divorce or profiteering; sweepstakes taboo; much money leaving the country for same; railways slow and unpunctual, but fares cheap; fair amount of suicide and robbery and confidence; police polite, but neat and alert; Post Department high class; food and other prices lower than the United States, but much higher than Britain or Continent; food in hotels generally, excepting the blind spots, good; shipping facilities satisfactory.” On this report being made known to my companions they have decided to travel to Britain and France, etc.’ “ The above criticism of this little country seems harsh, though true in parts,” says Mr Roberts. “It may interest readers to know yet again the opinions of some visitors to this country. Also I would like to recommend any intending travellers to New Haven to look this report out and correct it where necessary.”