FROM SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3754, 23 February 1926, Page 23

FROM SOUTHLAND.

VISITING COMMISSI! WEILS. Thoroughly satisfied and delighted with their trip through a few of the beauty spots of Southland, the party of overseas Exhibition Commissioners returned to Logan Park on Tuesday. Mr W. L. Smallhorn, Australia’s representative. was enthusiastic. “I was particularly impressed with the fine farm lands of the district,” he commenced, “and when, on Sunday, we were taken a long trip through the western district to the Apnrima Valley, I was reminded of the Darling Downs, where the soil is also rich and the country is of the same type.” “I felt, however, that something should be done to exterminate the rabbit pest, and the rag-wort that we saw everywhere. There are few farms with rabbit-proof fencing, and it is a great pity to see a paddock containing a quantity of rag-wort, next to a clean paddock with a good and heavy crop. Rag-wort is easily dealt with, and if this weed and the rabbits were cleared out 1 am satisfied that the land would carry twice the amount of stock.” “Stewart Island is a beautiful place, and we had an excellent crossing, although it rained a great deal. The island is cer tainlv a beautiful place, and if the scenic attractions and fishing facilities were known across the Tasman, I can tell you that the island would be inundated with wealthy Australian sportsmen and tourists.” “Lastly, the hospitality with which we were met was, if anything, too great; everything was arranged for us the trip as a whole was most enjoyable.” In the course of his sightseeing in the fertile lands of the south, Captain S. J. Graham, of the British Commission, had boon impressed most forcibly with the golden opportunities for migrants. “As a casual observer it appeared to me th: ’ there were many opportunities

for young colonists in Southland,” he said. ‘The country seems excellent, and the cattle in particular were in very good order, i was also immensely impressed with the splendid roads throughout Southland. We travelled 140 miles on them, and I must say that they are a credit to the province. ‘One is thrilled with pride to realise that all we saw has been accomplished in 60 or 70 years, and it arouses admiration lor the pioneers who cleared the way. Stewart Island is a wonderful scenic resort, worthy of greater attention from tourists than it apparently receives.” Captain Graham w as also delighted with the sincere and cordial welcome that met the visitors wherever they went—the manifestation of i hospitality that could not have been bettered. "I must not forget the Underwood Factory,” he concluded. “It was of great interest to all of us, and 1 did not expect to see such a large and thriving example of British business methods at such a distance from the heart of the Empire.” Mr J. W. Collins, the New Zealand Government Commissioner, stated that he would first like to emphasise the fact that I the trip was primarily due to Southland's initiative and success in providing such an excellent court at the New Zealand and Sout' Seas Exhibition. He had already acquired a close acquaintanceship with Southland’s agricultural, pastoral, and industrial features, and its scenic and sporting attractions, but nevertheless he was glad to renew his association and to note with the greatest satisfaction the evidences o_f prosperity in both the urban and rural areas visited. He saw the main source of Southland’s wealth—her large fertile areas of undulating valley lands, giving year after year prolific crops of oats, wheat, turnips, and grasses, and providing ample food for her herds of cattle and sheep. At one point—Raymond’s Gap—a panoramic view was obtained of an area of country approximating 400,000 acres, most of which was efcher first-class grazing lands or was in crop. Combined with rhese specious pastures Southland gave evidence of having progressed industrially. In addition to her efficient dairy factories freezing works, and woollen mills, she has established t’.ree important industries—condensed milk, creamota, and paper, which have Dominion-wide ramifications, and two at least possess a valuable export trade In his conversations with the citizens of Invercargill and Gore, Mr Collins noted a new determination to make Southland better known at home in New Zealand and abroad. The need for publicity is recognised everywhere, and all sections of the

«\uimunity are impressed with the importf4i.cc of removing from the minds of their Aorthern neighbours the ridiculous idea that Southland is a land of pitiless cold •nd wet weather. That this reputation is undeserved is demonstrated of course by official statistics, but is doubly demonstrated by a study of the flora of the district, and particularly of Stewart Island where tl}e growth of the trees, both exotic and native, denotes a warm, windless climate. The whole trip had been educative and informative, and oui warmest thanks are due for the splendid organisation provided and the hospitality extended.