BEAUTY ABROAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 9

BEAUTY ABROAD

MR. JUSTICE REED RETURNS FROM WORLD TOUR IMPRESSIONS IN MANY COUNTRIES Sunrise on the Himalayas, from a point 2,ool'ft above Darjeerling - - . Marvellous wild flowers in North Palestine . . . The park like beauty of rural England ... These were the three most, beautiful things Mi-. Justice Reed saw on his year's tour of the world. In com pa n y with Mrs. Reed, his Honour returned to Auckland last evening by the Rangitata. Mr. Justice Reed's tour is like a delightful lesson in geography. He left New Zealand on December IS last year, visited Australia, then went on to Java, the Malay States, Burma and India, through the Persiau Gulf to Basra, Bagdad, Damascus, Jerusalem and Haifa; along the coast of Cyprus, the islaud of Rhodes, to Greece, then across to Brindisi, Naples, Rome, Pisa, Genoa, Nice, Avignon, Paris and over the Channel to London. Thus far five months had been spent on the trip. After a mouth's motoring through England and Scotland, Mr. Justice Reed and Mrs. Ree<j returned

to the Continent and visited Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Austria, back through Germany, down to Brussels, and from there they flew back to London. In India his Honour saw nothing noticeable among the people in tlieir exception to British rule except what lie read in tile newspapers. However, in Burma, there was a particularly strong feeling against British rule and any connection with India. GLORIOUS SIGHTS He was enthusiastic regarding tlia sunrise over the Himalayas. Thi3 meant rising at 3.30 o'clock in the morning and being carried in litters by Tibetans 2,000 ft up Tiger Hill. Visitors often wailed for weeks to sqe such a sight, but the New Zealanders were more fortunate, and in the early morning watched the glory of the sun tipping the distant mountain peaks. Another glorious sight seen on tho tour was the marvellous wild flowers ill Northern Palestine between Damascus and Tiberius. “The whole countryside, for miles, was a mass of beautiful flowers of all colours,” said his Honour. -‘lt was like driving through a glorious carpet. “We art not liked in either France or Belgium,” he continued, in referring to his toui- of Europe. “The Belgians prefer the Germans to either England or France—at least that is what I found in Brussels and Ostend. In France there was a feeling that we wete not wanted. Americans i met had the same feeling about F ranee.” Mr. Justice Reed said that as far as the Continent was concerned there seemed to be little or no unemplovment. In Italy Mussolini was given the credit for everything. PESSIMISTIC GERMANS The Germans seemed very pessimistic, said his Honour, and people he met told him that the country could not possibly carry out her obligations. The result of this, they said, would be that on the first default France would seize the industrial areas and the whole country would go bankrupt. ”1 do not know whether this pessimism was a pose,” continued the judge. "The people seemed happy and there was no unemployment.” It was difficult to judge conditions in England, he continued. There was a tremendous amount of loose capital lying about judging by the way in which the places of entertainment were patronised. Seats for the Gilbert and Sullivan opera revivals were booked up for months ahead and be found it impossible to get seats before he left London. “The tiling which impressed me most about England was the park-like beauty of the countryside and the lack of agricultural industry. This was so different from Germany. We motored for 300 miles, every part of | which was closely cultivated. Tli • i whole countryside resembled a | kitchen garden.” QUAINT OLD CUSTOMS Sir. Justice Reed enjoyed many ' interesting experiences during his ; long tour. He travelled across the desert between Bagdad and Damascus | by the Nairn Brothers’ motors, most | of the journey being done under armed i escort because of marauders. One night of the journey was spent at a police post, really an armed fort, in the middle of the desert. ; In London he twice attended meetI ings of the Privy Council and met 1 most of the Lords of the Council. At the opening of the sessions at Old | Bailey he was invited to take a seat on the Bench. This he did and with him was an Indian judge. The old customs appealed to his | Honour. On the opening day of the session the whole place was strewn ! with sweet-smelling herbs, a custom ! which dates from the time of the ! Great Plague of London. All the ; court officials arrived carrying huge ! bouquets of flowers. Mr. Justice Reed also attended the X.ord Mayor’s dinner in London and was present at the reception given to General C. G. Dawes, United States j Ambassador to England.