SUNNY AFRICA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20102, 8 May 1935, Page 13

SUNNY AFRICA

A SEVEN WEEKS’ TOUR WONDERFUL HOSPITALITY The following is the first of a series of articles written by Mr T. M. decides, cf Napier, and Mr E. G. Kerr, junr., of Timaru, who were the New Zealand delegates to the Conference of the Empire Press Union held recently in Capetown:— No. 1 In the many links which bind together the Commonwealth of British Nations probably no force has a greater influence or does more work of real value than the Empire Press Union, the membership of whose organisation is entirely voluntary, but is fully representative of every nation within the federation. The Union is responsible for the Imperial Press Conference which, every five years, meets for its deliberations in, and subsequent tours, one or other of the Dominions or the Mother Country. The conference and tour recently brought to a successful conclusion in Southern Africa, which included visits to all parts of the Union, a week in Southern and Northern Rhodesia, a journey through Bechuanaland. and a day in the British Protectorate of Basutoland, establishes another triumph in the annals of this great organisation, and one which, must have widespread and beneficial results of a permanent character. Under the presidency of the chairman, the Hon. Major J. J. Astor, delegates from Great Britain, Canada, Australia. New Zealand,, India, Ceylon and Straits Settlement assembled at Capetown on February 4, where, for a week, they were accommodated at the Capetown University. A Veritable Palace Here they were made most comfortable, and with their wants provided for in every way, were immediately made to feel at home. The university students were on vacation, and opportunity was thus taken of converting the buildings into a veritable palace with all the organisation, staffing and appurtenances of a modern hotel. Many of the delegates were accompanied by their wives, and some by their daughters, the party consisting of over one hundred when they settled down in their palatial surroundings. The first week was largely occupied by conference deliberations, on the first day the visitors receiving a hearty welcome from the Mayor, Cr. L. Gradner, who wished the delegates a successful conference and a happy sojourn in South Africa. At an informal luncheon by the Capetown Press the visitors were extended a hearty welcome by their confreres of the Press. Many Brilliant Functions The proceedings were formally opened by His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, the Rt. Hon, the Earl of Clarendon, P.C., G.C.M.G., after which the delegates listened to a forceful and brilliant address by Mr O. Pirow, Minister of Defence, who dealt with South Africa's defence policy, and her attitude towards Britain in the event of war. Later, Mr Hoffmeyer. Minister of Education, addressed them on bilingualism. The delegates attended a garden party at Admiralty House, Simonstown, as the guests of the Commander-in-Chief of the African Station, Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Evans, K.C.8., D. 5.0., who besides a career of notable naval achievements, won world-fame as a companion of Scott on that ill-fated and historical Antarctic expedition which terminated so tragically. In the evening they were the guests of the Mayor of Capetown, Cr. L. Gradner. at a Parliamentary reception, which was attended by many distinguished South Africans, and was a brilliant function. "A Mad World” On the evening of the February 6, the delegates attended the Union Government banquet as the guests of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. B. M. Hertzog, who, in a brief speech touched on international affairs and referred to what he most expressively termed “a mad world.” On Friday, the Bth, the delegates attended an official luncheon under the old oak trees at Groot Constantia, as the guests of the Capetown Press, and, in the evening, were at a reception given in their honour at Government House by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. The conference meetings were held morning and afternoon during the week. Many other functions of a minor character, such as dances, private luncheons and dinners, were attended, and the visitors availed themselves of the few spare hours at their disposal to enjoy the many outstanding scenic and historic attractions of Capetown, the gateway of South Africa, and the famous tavern of the seas, which nestles so snugly beneath the massive bulk of Table Mountain. Two Luxury Trains The first week in Capetown ended all too soon, and early on Sunday morning the delegates were aboard two luxury trains provided by the Union Government, and had started on their tour of South Africa and the Rhodesias. For a few hours the railway

ran through the richest wine country in the Cape Province, but a rapid change soon came o’er the scene, and the fertility of the Cape merged into the semi-desert of the Karroo as the line ascended the great plateau of Africa. Long stretches of sandy plains interspersed by scrub and thoru bush extended on every side. Kalahari Desert Trees were rare, and the delegates found little to commend this vast unbroken country. They were soon across the Orange River and skirted the Kalahari desert, a barren land, until they arrived at Kimberley. Here they inspected the great “hole’ and were most hospitality entertained at the Kimberley Club by the De Beers Consolidated Mines, under the chairmanship of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. After sevex’al years’ idleness —an offshoot of the world-wide depression—the effect on Kimberley was most marked, and it was therefore gratifying to the delegates that their visit was made to coincide with the starting-up of a large pulsator and a continuation of mining. In the evening the delegates were accorded a civic reception by the Mayor and citizens. Leaving Kimberley, the route lay through the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland to its principal town, Mafeking, best known for the siege which occurred during the Boer War '(1899-1902). The citizens turned out in full muster to accord a hearty welcome to the visitors, and at the reception given in the Town Hall the Mayor took the opportunity of wishing the conference every success. Mafeking proved intensely interesting, on account of its war history, and the delegates were shown some of the war weapons and records, and historic points were indicated to them. Wonderful Rhodesians North of Mafeking the route continued through Bechuanaland until the Rhodesian frontier was crossed, and at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, the delegates arrived at Bulawayo, where they had their first two days of a week’s wonderful hospitality, for which Rhodesians are well known. In the afternoon, they received an agreeable surprise when they were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Harris, at the exceptionally attractive swimming baths, and in the evening they attended a civic banquet as guests of the mayor and council, the guests including the Governor of Southern Rhodesia, Sir Herbert Stanley, G.C.M.G., who, in a charming speech, welcomed the pressmen to his country. Next day they luncheoned near Rhodes Estate Preparatory School as guests of the Government of Southern Rhodesia, and during the afternoon visited Rhodes Hut and later motored to Rhodes’ grave at the Matopos. Friday and Saturday were spent at Victoria Falls and on Sunday, February 1, the party arrived at Salisbury, the capital of Southern Rhodesia, and experienced a continuation of the wonderful hospitality extended to them by the people of Bulawayo. They inspected the Dombashawa Native institution, and saw some hundreds of hoys undergoing training in English and general craftsmanship, a remarkably fine drill display concluding a morning full of interest. Brilliant State Banquet In the evening, the Premier, Mr G. M. Huggins, F.R.C.S., entertained the delegates at a brilliant State banquet. On Tuesday the party were motored to the Chikurubi tobacco farm, where they were the guests of Mr and Mrs J. 6. Elsworth, a civic luncheon later being tendered by the mayor and council at Salisbury, and in the afternoon, at a garden party at Government House, they were the guests of the Governor, Sir Herbert Stanley. Next day they arrived at Fort Victoria, and were motored to the worldfamous Zimhabive Ruins. They had a picnic tea at the ruins, and afterwards an informal reception at Fort Victoria as the guests of the Town Management Board. This brought to a close a most enjoyable week in Southern Rhodesia, during which time they crossed into Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia, where they attended a reception given in their honour by the Governor, Sir H. W. Young, K-C.M.G., and Lady Young. A few days later, Lady Young crashed in her aeroplane in a remote part of the country, and much anxiety was caused until she was discovered unhurt a week later. She had had a lucky escape. Jo’burg—the Golden The delegates arrived at Johannesburg on Friday, February 22. Here the conference was continued for five days, many important decisions being reached. They were accorded a civic luncheon as guests of the Mayor and council, attended an “at home" at the Transvaal Automobile Club, as guests of the chairman of the Chamber of Mines. Mr John Martin, and Mrs Martin, and the nmotored to Robert’s Heights and saw a drill display by the Special Service Battalion and inspected the aircraft depot. Later they had luncheon at Turffontein racecourse as guests of the Johannesburg Pony and Galloway Club, followed by a race meeting, and attended an “at home" given by the Transvaal Society of Journalists. They were the guests at a brilliant banquet given by the Johannesburg newspapers. They witnessed wonderfully weird native war dances by hundreds of gaily dressed natives at the Wemmer Sports ground. They were in cinema parties as guests of the African Consolidated Theatres Ltd. They were later the guests of the Mayor and Council of Johannesbury at a civic reception at the Town Hall, and then went to a

garden party at the Witwatersrand University as the guests of the principal (Mr H. R. Raikes, M.A.), They went 6000 ft. underground and inspected some of the leading gold mines and later in the day saw the Rand from above as the guests of Imperial Airways and their final function at Johannesburg was a dinner and dance at the Transvaal Country Club —a full week’s round of gaiety and sightseeing' which all will long remember. On to Pretoria Pretoria was equally hospitable. Arriving there on March 1, the pressmen inspected the Union Administrative buildings, one of the greatest an* most picturesque in Southern Africa. They lunched as the guests of the Railway Administrator and in the afternoon visited the Onderstepoort Government veterinary laboratories. Next day they inspected the Government Iron and Steel Works, recently completed at a cost of £6,500,000. They lunched at the Country Club as guests of the Mayor and council, and later visited the Fountain’s Valley. Next on the list of sight-seeing was Bloemfontein. Here they made a tour of the city, inspected the LamontHussey Observatory, lunched at King’s Park as the guests of the Bloemfontein newspaper, “Th" Friend,” and in the evening attended an open air dance at the beautiful Mazelspoort, about 15 miles outside the city. Next day they lunched at various farms at Westminster as the guests of local Dutch and English settlers, and later inspected the picturesque home and grounds of the Duke of Westminster. March 6, saw the delegates at Ladysmith, where, after a tour of the battlefields, they had tea in the town gardens as guests of the Mayor and council. Picturesque Natal Pietermaritzburg came next. Here they attended a civic reception in the City Hall tendered by the Administrator of Natal, Mr H. Gordon Watson, 1.5.0., watched some hundreds of native men and girls in war dances at Alexander Park, were the guests of the Natal Witness at the Country Club, and lunched at the City Hall as guests of the Mayor and council. A night in the train, brought them to colourful Durban. The delegates were again royally entertained. They were motored round the city and suburbs, had lunch at the Royal Hotel as guests of the Mayor and council, dined at the Marine Hotel as guests of the Durban Press, went on a trip round Durban Harbour, lunched with the chairman and stewards of the Durban Turf Club, followed by attendance at a race meeting, took a trip by train to the coastal holiday resort of Shepstone, motored to Mount EdgeCombe Sugar Estates, where they witnessed another striking Zulu war dance, attended a garden party at Mitchell Park, as guests of the South African Sugar Association and finally were present at a dinner at the Play House, the newest and largest theatre in South Africa, as the guests of Mr I. W. Schlesinger—this concluding four wonderful days in Durban. Into Basutoland Once again aboard the luxury trains, the pressmen next went to Basutoland. Arriving at Maseru they were accorded a reception by the Resident Commissioner and officials, who motored them some thirty to forty miles through Basutoland and provided them with one of the most interesting days of the tour. Along the Coastal Region Next came East London on March 14. Here they were accorded a civic reception at the Town . Hall as the guests of the Mayor and Council, next day being motored round the city and taken over the harbour. Later they were entertained by the Rotary Club at luncheon and after a motor tour of Nahoon were the guests at a dinner given in their honour by Sir Charles Crewe, proprietor of the local newspaper. At Alice, they inspected the famous Lovedale Native Mission School and on Sunday, March 17, arrived at Port Elizabeth. Here again they had interesting experiences, including a visit to Snake Park, motor drives, an orchestral concert and reception, visits to motor works and Mosenthal’s feature warehouse, and were entertained one day at lunch by the “Eastern Province Herald” and the next by the Mayor and Mayoress. Cango Cayes At Oudtshoorn they went through the magnificent Cango Caves, and later lunched with the Mayor and council. The delegates went for a motor tour of Knysna and district, had tea as guests of the Mayor and council, and later went on to The Wilderness, and of the most picturesque holiday resorts seen on the tour. They were entertained at lunch at the local hotel and went on to George, where, after a motor tour, they had tea as guests of the Mayor and council. Worcester was next reached and‘'here the delegates inspected tfie dried fruit factory, and the grape juice works. They had tea as guests of the Mayor and council and afterwards visited the schools for deaf and dumb and the school for the blind.

The return to Capetown was made on Thursday, March 21, and the final dinner and dance was given at the Queen’s Hotel, Sea Point, where the delegates entertained their South African hosts. The function was a brilliant success and was attended by the Governor-General, the Earl of Clarendon, and Lady Clarendon, and by General Smuts, who gave a stirring address on Imperial affairs, and,

incidentally made a very charming reference to New Zealand as. “the gem of the Empire.” Thus there came to an end a wonderful tour, full of interest, with round after round of sight-seeing, and with almost unbounded hospitality. It was a triumph in organisation and will long be remembered by all who attended it. (To be continued)