ENGLISH SCHOOLBOYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18202, 1 March 1929, Page 12

ENGLISH SCHOOLBOYS.

WEI-COMBD TO TIMARU. “ A HAPPY FAMILY." The party of 4 5 English public schoolboys, at present visiting the Dominion, in continuation of their Empire tour, arrived in Timaru by the express from Christchurch yesterday morning. Included in the party are four directors, the whole being in charge of Mr G. R. Darling, of Charterhouse School, London. On arrival at Timaru the party was met by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr A. L. Gee), in the absence of the Mayor (Mr G. .1. Wallace), after which an adjournment was made to the Goode Intente Tea Rooms, where the visitors were entertained at lunch. Mr Darling, and Mr Ardell, of the Department of Internal Affairs (Wellington!. left for the Hermitage, by special car, on arrival of the train, to make arrangements for the visit of the boys, who will spend a few days there. THE WELCOME. Mr Gee expressed pleasure at welcoming the visitors to this far-away part of the British Empire. Timaru, he said, was one of the brightest spots in New Zealand, with a population of approximately 17,000, and serving as an outlet to the district of South Canterbury, with a population of about 50,000. Mr Gee expressed regret that their rather hurried itinerary would not permit their being entertained in Timaru, as the people of the town and district would desire. But they must make the best of the position and be content. It would have been a great delight to the citizens to have taken the visi-

tors in cars through the beautiful back-country where they would have seen sights hard to surpass in any part of the world. However, they were going to Mount Cook, which was the Mecca of all tourists visiting the South Island, and they would have an opportunity of seeing the country on the way. They would see mile after mile of hilly country upon Which thousands of sheep were graz-

ing. and would traverse beautiful valleys where crops of wheat, oats, and other cereals were ripening or in stacks ready for threshing. Unfortunately the visitors were just a little too late to see the thousands of acres of beautiful grain standing ripe and ready for the harvest. Mr Gee assured the visitors that this was well worth seeing. The country was looking rather dry, as there had been very little rain during the last two months, but it had been a wonderful season for harvesting, and the results would be felt shortly. Sheep and grain were the principal industries in the district. The wool and frozen mutton were exported to England and the Continent, mostly to England. It was quite a common sight to see two or three large ocean liners in the port of Timaru loading mutton and wool. The harbour, as -he visitors would observe, was an

artificial one, and the district owed a lot to those far-sighted citizens who by their energy and perseverance had conquered the waves and made it possible for the products of the country to be shipped direct through their own port instead of having to rail them to other centres. The beach was the result of silting-up caused by the breakwater. Twenty or thirty years ago there had been no beach, but the sea came right up to the foot of the cliffs. Now, however, Tima ru had one of the finest beaches in New Zealand. It was perfectly safe for bathing, there being no undertow or dangerous curromts. The sands gradually shelved down into deep water without any pot holes or sudden drops. The town had a very energetic body called the Caroline Bay Association, which took in hand the matter of improvements and attractions to the Bay. Every year the attractions were being increased, and Caroline Bay was becoming more popular as a picnic resort. Mr Gee said he would also like to mention one matter, which to him was very important. Addressing the boys, he said that some of them would soon be leaving their various schools and going out into the world. Some of them would probably become politicians, others professional men, and others again would enter the world of commerce. He impressed upon them the link which bound New Zealand to the Homeland. Their parents and grandparents were British, and in Canterbury especially they had the feeling that England was Home. Their desire was that that link should never be broken or even weakened. Unfortunately owing to many of the manufacturers of Britain not always having understood the special requirements of New Zealand a great deal of the trade which should go to the Homeland had drifted to other countries. This was especially so in regard to the motor trade. Millions of pounds were being sent to America which should go to England. Britain took the bulk of New Zealand produce, and it was only right that New Zealand should reciprocate. British manufacturers should not be too conservative, but should be prepared to go out of their way to make the class of article specially suited to the requirements of the overseas Dominions, and thereby encourage their brothers to buy only Britishmade goods, and thus help in some small way to relieve the unemployment which exists there.

Mr Gee asked that these manufacturers be impressed by the fact that New Zealand did not want to buy foreign articles. “ We want British. and we want them to assist us in this respect by producing the class of articles we need. America does nothing for us. She takes all and gives nothing in return. We want our money to go to our kinsmen at Home.” In conclusion Mr Gee hoped that his remarks would cause the boys to use what influence they possessed to spread this idea throughout Britain. Then their visit to Timaru would have been conducive of some good. He concluded by wishing the party a happy, enjoyable and instructive visit to Alt. Cook, and an enjoyable trip for the remainder of their tour. (Applause.) On behalf of the older members of the English Public Schoolboys’ Association in New Zealand. Air AT. .1. Knubley expressed the greatest pleasure at being present, and to join in welcoming the visitors to Timaru. He hoped that, during their tour the boys would learn something of benefit to themselves and to the Empire. To those of the visitors who may ultimately live in New Zealand, vir Knubley gave the assurance that nerylhing would be to their liking, forking conditions were of tin* best. uul for pleasure, the fishing and filler sport offering were unsurpas?•d. But. to take the words of the Hike of Wellington, however, said Ur Knubley, “Don't let pleasure inerfere with your work, or work in- i erf ere with your pleasure.” (Apilause.) In the absence of Air Darling, Air! Smith-Dorrien. who bad with him i Uessrs F. Portal and AT. Scott, rn- ! lirectors, replied. He felt keen an- : Deviation of the things had been • aid and at the welcome extended. '

They very much regretted the shortness of their stay in Timaru. where they would have liked very much to look around, and also to see Caroline Bay. If they were to ask the boys their impressions of New Zealand they would reply that, during their stay in New Zealand they had heard a great deal of talk about “Home.” meaning England. To the boys, the receptions they were reeeiving, made them feel that they were stiil at Home. (Applause.) However, it was not their intention to let pleasure interfere with their work, or vice versa. Air Smith-Dorrien said that. although he was not in a position to speak with authority on the subject, lie regretted the position in regard to the manufacture of cars in England. referred to by Air Gee. He understood that several manufactur- I ers had recently visited New Zealand. 1 and he was sure that an improvement would take place. On their present trip, he continued, they were beginning to realise more than ever, the strength of ilie bonds that bound j the Empire. England and New Zea- j land, though widely separated by • sea. were yet closely knit together. | Air Smith-Dorrien referred also to j tlie wonderful spirit shown by New Zealand during the Great War, when | about 100.000 men had rallied to the call. Of this number about 17.000 had made the supreme sacrifice, a number equal to the population of | Timaru. In conclusion, he again re- > turned thanks for the welcome they | had received, and said that they only regretted their stav in Timaru was j so short. (Applause.) After lunch, the visitors left by car j /or Die Hermitage, much impressed | by their short stay in Timaru.