A TRIP TO EUROPE

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5158, 15 November 1912, Page 2

A TRIP TO EUROPE

RETURNED HAMILTONIAN'S IMPRESSIONS.

FAVOURS MOTOR ’RUSES FOR HAMILTON. Mr and Mrs J. S. Bond have just returned from a trip to Europe, extending over nine months. In the course of an interview with an Argus representative yesterday Mr Bond gave some very interesting impressions. “We went by the P, and 0. boat,’’ he said “from Auckland by way of Australia and the Suez Canal, and found the route most interesting. It was our first visit to Australia, and the weather being beautiful we saw it under the most favourable conditions. We were much struck with the prevailing air of prosperity in Sydney and Melbourne. We were charmed with the Sydney Botanical Gardens, but thought those of Melbourne even liner.” Mr Bond is a member of the Auckland Harbour Board, and therefore looked out for any points in this con nection. When in Sydney he made several inquiries, and found that the railways did not connect with the wharves, the bulk of the produce having to be carted from the railway to the ship’s side. He asked if this was not expensive, and was told that it was distinctly so, especially on account of the peculiar harbour conditions. A driver would not unload on the grounds that he was paid for driving only, and consequently the Railway Department agreed to carry out this portion of the work. The conclusion come to by Mr Bond was that the Auckland Harbour Board was thoroughly up-to-date in its equipment, and that when the present works are finished the facilities will be equal to any in the world. The Australian railways Mr Bond thought far ahead of New Zealand railways, especially those of Victoria. The carriages were beautifully clean and comfortable, and the service was rapid. Public convenience, in fact, appeared to be studied in every direction. He was particularly struck by the way in which Australia and Tasmania were working up the fruit trade, especially in apples, and considered that New Zealand might do much more in this direction, seeing that the same boats called at Auckland. “The great advantage of the Suez flanal route,” continued the speaker, “is that it enables one to spend four days in Sydney, two days each in Adelaide and Peah, and two days in Colombo. We found the scenery at the latter port quite ravishing. At Suez we left the boat and took the train to Cairo. We arrived there the same night,and went to the Pryaraids before breakfast next morning, rejoining the boat the same day. This trip, on account of its rapidity, is popularly termed ‘a la Americaine.’ I was struck by the enormous amount of country under intense cultivation. The British Government has done a great deal of irrigation, and has shown the change which can be brought about in this sandy country through the agency of water. “After going through the Mediterranean we steamed up the Italian coast. The captain kept the boat close inshore to enable passengers to see as much as possible. We passed through the Straits of Messina, the centre of the eruption some years ago. The ruins may still be observed. The island of Stroraboli was in active eruption when we passed it. Despite this fact the slopes of the mountain have been terraced, and the vine is cultivated. At Gibraltar we went across the Spanish lines into the Spanish town, and saw all the places of interest. An enormous amount of money has been spent on the naval docks. We were there at the time of the Moroccan trouble when war was expected at any moment, and consequently active preparations were being made.” “We spent about six months in Europe,” continued Mr Bond. “We visited Prance and Belgium, spending a fortnight in these countries. Fortunately we had with us a friend who spoke French fluently, and in consequence we saw Paris to the best advantage. After seeing the Champs Eiysees, Lnngchamps, Versailles and other places of interest we went on to Brussels, a very charming city, which is in some respects superior to Paris. It is especially celebrated for its fine picture galleries. From Brussels we got a carriage and drove out to the field of Waterloo. As we saw it in June it was in much the same condition as on the occasion of the famous battle. Excellent guides place themselves at the service of visitors.” Mr Bond went on to say that he had made a complete tour of the British Isles, passing all over England, visiting Ireland twice and Scotland three times. The general impression made on him was that the industries of the British Isles were in a most flourishing condition. In the agricultural districts, however, particularly in those with which he was acquainted when a boy, the population did not show any signs of increase, but rather the reverse. Landowners complained that they could not obtain suitable labour, as the people were going to factories in the towns. This could not be wondered at, seeing that no effort was made to attach the farm labourers to the country. The pay was very small, some labourers receiving as little as 12s 6d a week. An allowance for potatoes and cider brought it up to 15s, and out of this the labourer had to find house accommodation and keep a wife and family. “My idea,” said the speaker, “is that in England they need an Act similar to our Lands for Settlements Act. Further provision should also be made for giving agricultural labourers suitable sized allotments in order to encourage them to remain on the land. This is really a national question for the reason that by aggregating the population in the cities under such wretched conditions as exist in the large manufacturing towns the national physique must deteriorate.” Mr Bond went on to speak of dairying in England. He said that he had many conversations with farmers in different parts of England on this question. When he asked them why they did not combine to run the business on similar lines to those obtaining in New Zealand be found that they were afraid to launch out on account of insecurity of tenure, nearly all being liable to six months’ notice. (A recent cable stated that a Bill had been introduced into Parliament substituting twelve months for six months.) Another reason was that practically all the English farm buildings would have to be reconstructed, as the buildings were arranged in circular fashion, and ail manure, etc., drained into a midden in the centre. Tuis meant that milk would be tainted. In Ireland the factory system had to some extent been adopted by private companies. Farmers, however, were completely at the mercy of these companies as they had no means of checking the weighing or measuring of the milk. Although they were only 24 hours from the London market they were unable to get anything over lOd per lb for butter whereas farmers in this country can command Is and over in London. “I noticed,” the speaker went on “that the municipalities are doing a great deal of work in the direction of improving the class of buildings, and doing away with the slums, but the evil is so deep-seated that their efforts can hardly be noticed. If all big property and land owners adopted the principle which is used at Port Sunlight it would make a wonderful difference, it was quite cheering to see such places as Port Sunlight after the slums of the large cites.” “1 would like to say a word,” added Mr Bond, “in regard to the hospitality shown us by the English people. There appears to be a general impression abroad that they are reserved and stand-offish, but as far as wo were concerned the opposite was the case. 1 was, for instance, elected a temporary member of the Royal Automobile Club and the Rc-

I ; form Club, while my wife and I were , invited to visit Kanelagh, and were entertained on the Terrace at the House of Lords. We also received an invitation to attend the National Horticultural Society's International Exhibition at Chelsea. The London papers described it as the finest exhibition of its kind ever seen, the orchids alone being valued at a million and a half of money. It was opened by the King and Queen, and we saw them again at the ceremony of trooping the colours.” “As regards road making, 1 see it is proposed to adopt wood paving for Hamilton. As far as I could ascertain very little wood paving is done in England, tarred macadam similar to what we have in Victoria Street being much more popular. Of course to make it properly a steam roller must be used. We drove fully 60 miles out of London in one direction over tarred macadam. It has been found that if the road is made properly in other respects but not tarred, the motor traffic has a tendency to tear it up.” Mr Bond was asked to make special observations in England as to the type of vehicle heat suited for traffic 1 in Hamilton. As the result of what | he saw, especially in Eastbourne and 1 Tunbridge Wells,he has come to the 1 conclusion that motor omnibuses would be most suitable for Hamilton. He will make a special report on the 1 matter to the Chamber of Commerce. 1 Mr Bond was struck with the enterprising manner in which Canada | is advertised in the Old Country as compared with New Zealand. Again, | he noticed that as the boat approach- | ed Ceylon booklets were distributed ! among passengers setting forth the ! scenic and other attractions of the island, and he thinks that something of 1 the kind might be done in connection with the Dominion.