The Traveller.

Southern Cross, Volume 9, Issue 4, 27 April 1901, Page 3

The Traveller.

FROM THE BLUFF TO DURBAN.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —In case any New Zealanders intend to come over here, and being strangers, have no one to put them right, let me tell them that by applying to the newly-formed Australasian Commonwealth Association, they will got the best advice possible, and if they will only send word that they are coming, the Association will see that some one is at the port to meet them, and advise them where to go, etc. The Association held its first meeting on the 18th February. Mr H. F. Hudson (in the chair) explained that it was intended to establish a reference library bearing on Australasia, and to afford South African importers the fullest information in respect to Australasian products, etc. g-The Association would have an officer in Durban, and would extend its operations throughout South Africa, with agencies at the principal centres. Meetings would be held monthly, and leading politicians would be invited to address the Association on questions of the day. The rules wtie accepted after discussion. Five years’ residence in the Australian colonies was made a qualification for holding office. The annual subscription was fixed at 10s 6d, and the annual meeting is to be held on the 26th January, Australia’s National Day. Officers were appointed as follows:—Patron, The Earl of Hopetoun, Governor-General of Australia; President, Mr W. Fellows Smith ; Vice Presidents, W. G. Hewitt, F. W. Hudson,| W. A. Squires, A. D. Clarke, E. Clarke, and E. C, East; Secretary, W. Monk; Treasurer, Mr J. R.“ Sharply; Committee, Messrs J. R. Allport, Basstian, J. E. Burnard, Carrol, Speight. Bevan, T. Lewis, C. Rogers and A. E. Henery. The selection of vice patrons was left in the hands of the Committee. Six more vice-presidents are to be elected, so as to enable the Association to be fully representative. I may mention that parties wishing for information from South Africa had better write to rhe Secretary of the Association a little over three months before they intend to leave, as it takes just three months to get a reply, even if answered by return mail. The present address is— The Secretary Australasian Commonwealth,

Box 253, Durban,

Natal, S. Africa

It matters not what your requirements are, if you write you can rely on an answer ; whether you are a merchant seeking advice on business or are hunting for a lost relative, it is all the same.

I have been here (Durban) five weeks now, and the more I see of the place the more I feel convinced that the more Australians and New Zealanders come here the better for the country and the people, for everything is remarkably backward. Take the railway department. I went to the station and asked for a time-table giving: distance and fare, but I was told they had none, and did not know what I wanted, never having seen one. When I asked how far Ladysmith or Newcastle was from Durban I was told 8, 10, or 12 hours, the time taken by the miserable little engines they have. Then I approached the post-office and made inquiries for a letter-box, and was told they had fully 600 names before mine to be filled. Then 1 inquired when the next mail was likely to arrive from Australia, and was told they never knew within 14 days when the mail would arrive from Australia ; and on inquiry at the same office as to time of leaving Durban for Australia or New Zealand they could not say, but that the mail closed at Durban for the Cape on Saturday. Think.ng I would see if they knew anything at all, I held a letter addressed to N.Z. in ray hand and asked how much was required to post it, and was told 24d per 40z., so I

put on Id and let it go, and I went also. This newdy-forrned Association is going to be very much felt :in the land, and some of the old members of Parliament will have a few tough questions to answer before they secure the vote of United Australia. I may send more later on, but enough at present, from E.GE.