IN A SEA OF MUD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 5

IN A SEA OF MUD.

ROTORUA BY MOTOR

LORD LEVERHULME'S EXPERT - ■„ .' ENCE-.

Owing to the shockingly bad state of the road south of Auckland, *Lord Lcverhulino was compelled to Abandon his proposed visit to Rotorua. He proceeded to Wellington by train, motoring (o Wanganui on Sunday. "When we got a little past Mercer," said the visitor, " our car became an island in a lake of mud, and the feelings we had was like being on a raft in the middle of the ocean. The chauffeur said we might get through, but, as a car on a previous occasion took two days to cover fifteen miles, I decided to give it up. I was told by a cynical New Zealander that your Government was afraid good roads would mean a decrease of railway receipts, but if you have good roads it will mean that motorists will have the opportunity of seeing your delightful country. Just thirty-one .years ago I drove to Rotorua, and the roads then were excellent. \

"Glorious country, but you want more people," said Lord Leverhulme, referring to the Dominion. ''The right way to progress in a policy of, free trade, not protection. With free trade you could make Australia oil up and do the trade of the southern hemisphere. Don't get hold of the wrong end of the stick, as most money is in raw material." Lord Leverhulme expressed surprise at the development of New Zealand since, his last visit, and said he considered no part of the Empire, had better prospects of a. great future.