A New Zealander in Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 748, 22 August 1929, Page 10

A New Zealander in Sydney Town

(THE SUSS Sydney C —re-mnden’i SYDNEY, August IS. * The New Zealand-born Premier o’ New South Wales. Mr. Bavin, w;j ei [ he was in mid-Tasman, en route to his adopted land, telegraphed as follows today from the Makura:—"t very glad to be nearing Australia. [ have seen many countries, but no country which offers greater . poasisibilities of healthy and happy life » or its citizens if only we pull together for the good of Australia." 8 ••Jerrymandering" of Electorates One of the most important developments during the absence of the Premier has been the ' Jerrymandering' - of electorates in the interests oi hig Government. This will be a very difficult charge to refute, if indeed anv of the Nationalist-Country Part’.leaders take the trouble to do so. For many years past it has been a case of spoils to the victor in this State. The present Administration, quite naturally, looks for a renewal of office, so it has repeated what its predecessors in office did a year or so ago altered the political boundaries to suit its own purpose. Nationalists are now more sanguine concerning another term on the Treasury benches. The fight, however, when it does come, will be a strenuous one. and it is possible that Labour, even with the political dice loaded against it, will win. Japan’s Interest in New Zealand New Zealanders will soon have the pleasure of meeting Mr. T. Yabe, special representative of “Asahl,” a leading Japanese newspaper published in Yokohama and Osaka. He is cne of the seven journalists employed by tip, paper who are undertaking tours of seven different countries on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary. Mr. Y’abe will spend a month in New South Wales before leaving for New Zealand. where he will gather first-hand information about the Dominion. Another Welsh Orator Sydney religious circles are somewhat stirred at the moment by the presence of the Rev. A. Penry Evans, a leading Congregationalist from the Old Land. Mr. Evans, needless to say. is a Welshman. He has all the picturesqueness, the aptness for the right word and phrase, and all the fiery delivery of other speakers from that land. I heard Mr. Evans speak at a luncheon during the week, and came to the conclusion that if he had not been a minister he would have made an excellent comedian. Mr. Evans will shortly return to England, and then proceed to Melbourne to take charge of the Collins Street church for Coigregationalists in that city. Russian Art Quite the most interesting show of its kind since the exhibition of the works of lacovleff last year is the Russian collection now being displayed at the Macquarie Galleries. Schoukhaeff and lacovleff are nogrecognised abroad as the two foremost Russian artists living in Europe. Besides the more serious work, which includes an arresting portrait of lacovleff by his friend—sensitive, mystical, and almost dominating—is a number of whimsical stage decorations and illustrations, all exquisitely Imaginative in their way. Such exhibitions as that of lacovleff. and no* that of Schoukhaeff. undoubtedly do good. They keep Australians in touch with the latest European developments in art, for Australians as painters are rather inclined to be a little parochial in their outlook. Their work is definitely good, and infinitely ahead of New Zealand in that respect, but in some ways they are every bit a* insular as ourselves.. And that, me thinks, without intending to offend, is saving a good deal. ERIC RAMS DEN.