A RECORD TRAVELLER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 75

A RECORD TRAVELLER.

AUSTRALIAN’S EXPERIENCES’. MANY GREAT TOL'RS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ■»r tt x- SYDNEY, May 3. Ir Dunc.m Neven, well known in New Zealand for his association with many theatrical and concert ventures, though still in Ins early forties, has been termed Australia s record traveller. Starting as a newspaper man first at Rockampton (Queensland), and then in Sydney, he became in turn a manager for George Marlow, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and Dolores, with the result that he made several extensive tours of Australia and New Zealand. Then came his first visit to the East. From there he went to America, and a position as press agent for a circus took him through practically eveiy State. But travel on a wider scale was awaiting him. Mr Neven’s next move was to become one of the tour managers of Thomas Cook and Sons, with headquarters at New York. Ten times he made a tour that embraced Great Britain, Europe, North Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Ceylon, India. Burma, Malay States, Siam. Sumatra. Java, Philippines, French IndoChina, Manchuria, Korea, and Japan. Mostly, said Mr Neven. v,ho has been spending a holiday in Sydney, “ I was with privately-arranged parties, numbering from ten to twelve. One party of this character which I piloted in a tour of the United States consisted of the Maharajah of Jind. his family, and suite. Later I was his guest for some days at one of his shooting lodges in India.” From Thomas Cook and Sons Mr Neven went over two years ago to the American Express Company, in a similar touring capacity. V hen the American Legion was touring France last year Mr Neven had charge of one of the special trains—all sleeping compartments—secured for the Continental tour by 400 of the commanders and officers. King Humbert welcomed the party at Pisa. At Genoa the Americans to a man saluted the statue of Columbus. Mr Neven says <that there was keen disappointment because the local band did not play “ The Star Spangled Banner.” All the Americans heard was the Italian National Anthem and “ God Save the King,” so it is easy to imagine how thoroughly annoyed they were. Mr Neven related some interesting particulars of travel in various parts of the world. Besides the charge of 10 per cent, added to the hotel bill in most Continental countries for distribution of tips, there is in some places a tax on every meal, amounting in Italy to a further levy of 121 per cent. Mr Neven declares that Mussolini is still remembered in Italy for his action at the outset of his reign in taking a number of the Communist leaders and compelling each to drink a quantity of castor oil. “ The English language will carry you everywhere,” he declared. “ It is spoken to a greater or lesser degree in every country. Particularly is this the case since the war. Switzerland is the greatest of all countries for mixed languages. It is necessary to have an’interpreter in the Swiss Parliament to explain Swiss to the Swiss.” Mr Neven will- shortly resume duty with the American Express Company.