CHARM OF DOMINION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 12 (Supplement)

CHARM OF DOMINION

AN EARL’S IMPRESSIONS. SERVANTS AND TIPPING. Impressions of New Zealand and comments on topical matters of importance were given by the Earl of Rosslyn on his return to Auckland from the South on Saturday. The earl, who is accompanied by the Countess of Rosslyn, arrived in Auckland on February 16 and since then they have visited a number of southern centres. i

The earl said their visit had been too short to make a great impression. “New Zealand is the last commonwealth to be hard hit,” he said, “and is feeling the slump rather ' bitterly. Though many whom I have met are somewhat depressed the general feeling is that there is a brighter future in prospect. “The charm of New Zealand lies in its inhabitants’ genial simplicity and love for the Old Country,” continued the earl. “I found servants somewhat shy of being tipped. There are really no servants. The servants are a democracy glad to serve and requiring no extra remuneration beyond their pay. Those in higher positions will do gladly what you may ask them to and feel the happier for it. As I am alluding- to wages and wealth, I am astounded at some of the emoluments received—higher by far than most people’s salaries in the Old Country.” The earl was much impressed with the insight he was given into cheesemaking in New Zealand. “I know now how New Zealand mokes its cheese,” he said. “Through the courtesy of Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director of Agriculture, the Countess of Rosslyn and I were driven over the Rimutakas from Wellington to the Featherston cheese factory, under the aegis and tutelage of Dr. Moir. Mass production alone can be the cause of cheap cheeses such as are cutting into our markets at Home.”

Speaking of butter, the earl said he could buy New Zealand butter at Coolham, near Horsham, Sussex, for Is IJd a pound, and butter could not be made there under Is 8d as a' minimum. The shipping companies here worked hard to carry these commodities at the lowest price. Denmark was supplying £4,000,000 worth of butter and New Zealand could easily supply a further fourth of that amount. “You have a great agricultural Governor-General,” the earl said, “and he should, by his advice, be able to assist the farmers of New Zealand in this respect, and England should curtail the purchase of Danish butter.”

“I was lucky to hear the speech of Mr. J. G. Coates when he introduced the Conversion Loan Bill. I had known him in England, and also Mr. Forbes, the Prime Minister. I confess I sympathised with the Labour Party when he moved the second reading without ever having supplied them with a copy of the great measure which he proposed to pass in one night. However, his geniality overcome their objections, and all was well.” The earl and countess will leave by the Niagara to-morrow for Vancouver.