FAITH IN OWN COUNTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 528, 28 November 1928, Page 6

FAITH IN OWN COUNTRY

AUSTRALIANS’ KEENNESS BRINGS PROGRESS AUCKLANDER’S IMPRESSIONS Impressed with the spirit of Australian progressiveness, and having had a remarkably interesting trip, Mr. J. McGregor, of Devonport, returned on Monday from Perth. ■y£R. McGREGOR presided there at the Australian and New Zealand Master Bakers’ Association Conference. Mr. McGregor was greatly impressed by the sturdy faith all Australians have in the future of their country. All the executives that he met were eager to acquire knowledge, and invited criticism of their country. Many of the men holding important positions were young, and were well paid, indicating a splendid spirit of progressiveness. The 140 delegates to the conference, which lasted four days, were entertained extensively, over £2,000 having been subscribed for entertainment expenses. Western Australia was found to be booming. Wheat and wool are the staple products, and both have been reaching high prices. The Commonwealth Government placed a special train at the disposal of *he delegates and paid their expenses for a two days’ trip through the wheat belt. Experts in wheat culture accompanied them and showed how careful selection of wheat seed was improving the yield. The same close attention was being given fruit culture. The conference hall was ornamented with stained-glass windows, each of which portrayed some man who had served Western Australia. The portraits included that of the New Zealander who built the water pipe-line from Kaigoorlie to Perth. Sir George Grey was another of the men remembered. The “White City,” two acres of space in Perth, given over to philanthropic institutions for raising funds, was supplied, he said, with every form of gambling device, and was rarely empty. Each Saturday there was horse racing in the afternoon and trotting from 7 to 11 p.m. Wellknown consultation tickets were sold at street stalls. Mr. McGregor visited Sydney and Melbourne eu route to Perth. He was surprised to find that New Zealand had bigger single baking establishments, but from the insistence on quality in wheat production the quality of bread in Australia was very good. Mr. Mueller, of Cambridge, accompanied Mr. McGregor as co-dele-gate from New Zealand.