A WONDERFUL COUNTRY’

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19366, 24 July 1925, Page 4

A WONDERFUL COUNTRY’

A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS “ADVERTISE, AND KEEP ON ADVERTISING.’’ Mr T. IL Watson, well known in commercial circles in Melbourne, who is on la business visit to Wanganui, gave an interesting interview to a “Chronicle’’ reporter yesterday. Air Watson’s comments were confined to his opinion of the Dominion both from Iho point of view* of commerce and that of the tourist, having regard to the relations that obtain between Australia land New Zealand. A LITTLE CRITICISM 4 ‘ Mon ask me my impressions of New Zealand,’’ said the visitor to his interviewer. “Well, at the outset, I must express the same sentiments that hundreds before me have expressed—your’s lis a beautiful country, a niUgnificctil plot in God’s garden. What strikes me as a strange circumstance is that when an oversea visitor alights on your shores you investigate him concerning his travels, ami ultimately, after he lias spent a few weeks on your shores, you inquire with avidity his general impressions. In ninety-nine cases in a hundred your visitor, unselfish in his observations, tells you that you possess one of the finest countries in the world from an economic, commercial and social point of view. You are pleased —you are happy. But, why is it that you assiduously engage the visitor on these topics and lot his impressions rest at tlffit? Do you know that your Dominion possesses potentialities that are denied some of the oldest countries in the world? And are you cognisant of the fact that even in Australian centres your country is unknown? This is surely a condition of things that should be adjusted by your uuthorities. And why? Bimply because. —if you [will pardon the suggestion, which I use advisedly—that you are so consumed in what might be termed conceit, [or elements of such, that you believe, [or feel, that the world’s perspective en (compasses your country, but such is nut the case. Your significance as u constitutional factor in the consolidation of the Empire Aides through I its own conceit! And why ? I Simply for the reason that you are content to harbour the laurels Lsbcd on you by overseas visitors and rest content at that’’’ | “The one drawback,’’ said the visitor, “is, that your beautiful country is I not advertised. Do you know that Iha If the people in Australia—l mctin [people who are in affluent circumstances — know nothing of your Rotorua, nothing of your glaciers in South Westland, little of your beautiful Wanganui ! River, but ti great deal of your fool bailers? Would it surprise you to know that 75 per cent, of Australian tourists

[visit the Malay Straits and far-off continents yearly, oblivious to the fact that the most, wonderful country in the (world, Now Zealand, lies at their very [doorsteps? And why, again.’ Be I cause you do not advertise. You have your High Commissioner's office in I London, as we have our Australia [House. You advertise your Dominion abroad, but you forget labout your wealthy neighbour, Australia. And why is it? Would you believe that 1 [feel —if I am wrong I would welcome a correction—that there is an antipathy between the people of Now Zea land ami those of Australia, and if such is the case, I will be bold enough to suggest that if such does exist it if not prompted by any arrogant impulse or motive as far as the ‘other side' iconcerned.” “Recently.’’ continued Air Watson, “on my journey south, I was given !•» understand that New Zealanders <»l» jected to the term ‘Australasia.’ Why.’ Do the millions in Australia object No. Why should not the Common wealth and the Dominion of New Zea (land combine, as the majesty of the [Antipodes, in one common ambitious aim, commercially and Imperially?’’ i “Afind you.” said Air Watson.’ I iam not pleading a clause, or fathering an ambition for the Commonwealth. |but simply establishing a prima facie ease, so to speak, for reciprocity, in a [eommercihl sense, between both countries for the good and advancement of both. Speaking from an Imperial view [point, it is a foregone conclusion that I the war in the future will be fought in [the Pacific. Well, then, in d;«y< [of the unexpected, land dire circumstances, what will be the position of [New Zealand? Will she lean on the I breast of her Mother Count ry in the sense of a prodigal, and weep for stis * I finance while the (’oinmonwenlth comes jto her sister’s aid with her independent I navy land Flying Corps? Such an in 'dignity, surely, any reasonable-minded ■New Zealander would not tolerate. I And yet.’’ proceeded the visitor, “your country is not known to its immediate sister. ‘Reciprocate and collaborate.’ [That is your policy. Let Australians know what New Zealand is; its wonder ful fertility, its primary industries, and, . I again, its physical splendour. Go to Australia —Australia will come to you! [ Remember our next world trouble will |be decided in the Pacific.” AUSTRALIAN CRIME I Referring to the wave of crime that ; features the daily cables from Svdncv (and Melbourne, Mr Watson observed I (that it was not his intention to whit"1 iwash these two principal metropolitan ■ areas, but it had to be remembered that ’(the increased poverty, which was an aftermath of the war, was responsible in most cases. “Of course," he said, “you people in New Zealand -continu ously hear the cry, ‘Sydney’s crime wave’ or ‘Melbourne’s push gang at work,’ but you do not understand th., difficulties the authorities have to contend with, nor do you hear of the won ’ derful work the police in both metro t politan cities arc doing. Since the t war certain cities in the States of Nev ‘ South Wales and Victoria have become H more or less impoverished, and, as you '/know, poverty breeds and foster* ‘ ' crime.’’

THE JOSEPH AND FOX GLACIERS Referring to his visit to the Franz Joseph Glacier, Mr Watson said, after comparing the Joseph with the Fox glacier (some 14 miles further southl, that the latter glacier, apart from being etasy of access is, in his opinion, a more engrossing spectacle 1 than the Joseph. Tn concluding the interview Mr Watson staid, “Advertise your country and keep on advertising—your’s is a wonderful country.” Mr Watson leaves for the Waitomo Caves this morning.