"A SURPRISING COUNTRY."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15774, 15 March 1922, Page 9

"A SURPRISING COUNTRY."

AMERICAN BISHOP'S VIEW

"I must say that I am very pleased with conditions as I have found them in New Zealand," said Bishop Charles E. Locke, of the American Methodist Episcopal Church, when interviewed by a Manawatu reporter. He had, said Bishop Locke, found something romantic about his visit to this little country, which he found refreshing. In common with all Americans, he had, when at college, been taught that in our Dominion some of the legislation suggested for the United of America had been tried out. The old-age pension scheme, for instance, was a valuable measure. "In this," said the Bishop; "you have shown America something-*— something that we ought to have." Then, in respect to income tax, it had been proved in New Zealand that this was one of the fairest means of raising revenue. "In America, we are watching your Labor movements with interest," he continued. "We believe that by your system of industrial conciliation you have gone far towards avoiding strikes. There is much in this system that is suggestive ; much that we' are watching closely, for we believe it is worth while."

Yes, your New Zealand is all that I have heard it claimed to be—a wonderful little country. It is a surprising country. Since my two weeks' stay here (the Bishop has been attending the Methodist Centenary Conference- in Auckland), I have been amazed at the progress that has been made here. Your Country, I am told, is only 100 years old to civilisation, yet what a tremendous amount of work has been done. This conference in Auckland has vividly recalled the fact that only 100 years ago there were in New Zealand no others but the Maoris—cannibals, untutored. Doesn't that make one realise what a lot is due to those early pioneers of the Christian faith? Those first missionaries did work that was really worth while. Certainly, I must say that T have been impressed with your conditions—educationally and socially ; and the religious conditions are especially pleasing. > ' "During the past two weeks I have been moving among your Methodist ministers. 1 can only praise these gentlemen. I have found them to be of high education, courteous and scholarly, indeed a stalwart set of men. When I met these men, I was not surprised a I the progress the country had made. And I have a word of hope to say. for, in the coming 100 years, I look'for great prosperity. Progress will surely be made by leaps and bounds. The Methodists in New Zealand are very sanguine for the future. They are a happy' and enthusiastic (band. Progress, then, must be made," he concluded with emphasis.