BIG, HAPPY AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144145, 15 July 1913, Page 8

BIG, HAPPY AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRIAN WOMAN’S VIEW. ', ' I ' MELBOURNE, July 2. A shrewd observer of men and affairs is Frauleiu Alice Schalok, an Austrian woman journalist, just concluding a tour of Australia and New Zealand. She is under special- commission to write of Australasia and America, from two leading papers of Austria and Germany—the Neuo Freie Prcsse and the Frankfurter Zeitung—both of which are known as semi-official organs of the two empires. The visit to Australasia is in tho interests of the German paper, while a subsequent tour of Canada and the United States is on behalf of tho Austrian publication. “You see,” said Fraulcin Schalek, “that there are many compatriots of the Germans out here, but few, so very few, of my nation. They go a great deal to America. In New Zealand there are some of my country who dig for gum, but they are qf the lower grades from Dalmatia.” “What do you think now of Australia since you have made investigations?” “Oh, it is splendid, splendid. The life and the excitement of these elections! Tell me, is it always like that for politics?” It was explained that a Federal election is not always with us. “Then I was lucky. Everywhere I go I find excitement. Everywhere people talk of politics and politics. And tho people are so lively; so full of—what shall I say—so full of vigour. I have been to New Zealand,” continued Frauleiu Schalek, “but it is dull there. Tho living is rough everywhere, I found. But tho people are contented, and in tho country they do not want to sell and go and live in tho city like they do here. They save up in tho cities, and go to live in the country on tho farms. , Can you tell me why that is so?” A presentment of tho origin of decentralisation was given. “I think your girls are beautiful,” said Frauleiu Schalek, turning to. another subject, “and so well dressed. I do not mean only tho girls who are rich, but the poor ones and those that work in the country. . I have been in the country and seen the farms. Look, here is a photograph I-took of a tent. (Here Frauleiu Schalek produced a bush scene with felled timber around and an 8 x 10 tent, rigged after bush fashion, in the foreground:) That'was at Yanco. In my country it would be only low people who would live in it, or Neapolitans or wanderers with ho. hom.e. But I could not believe my eyes. Out' of that tent came a lady—a lady, educated, who was dressed well; and was- pretty . And by-and-bye, so quick, the tent will be a house, and there will be a nice farm, and the husbandman will make money, and then ho will sell his land and live in the town. That is sad, is it not. But it is wonderful. And some of these people are people of my own country, and from England, and from other places, who farm and begin with a tent. It is so splendid.” “Do you think it a good place for Austrians ,and Germans to come to?” “Oh, yes. It is good for anyone here..” In conclusion Fraulcin Schalek said: “Australia I like; it is so big, and the people think lug, and are happy. In New Zealand they have what you say local patriotism, and they are dull.”