OFFICIAL VISIT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18478, 5 November 1931, Page 9

OFFICIAL VISIT.

CZECHOSLOVAK CONBUL. DR. RUDOLF-KURAZ. “Mv purpose in making this trip Is officially to pay my respects to the New Zealand Government and to get into touch with the New Zealand people," said Dr. Rudolf kuraz, Czechoslovak Consul in charge foi Australia and New Zealand, said in an interview when he arrived at W ellington by the Monowai on an ofllcia visit to this country. Dr. Kuraz said he proposed spending three weeks in the Dominion, and he hoped to see a good portion, at least of the North island. “The tourist bureau in Sydney very kindlv prepared an itinerary for me ’’ he said, "and at some future time I hope to he able to 'travel through the South Island. ’ Democratic Republic. Dr. Kuraz went on to speak of hie own country, which he said ■occupiel tenth place among the European States in point of population. Czechoslovakia was a democratic republic, with a legislative body composed of two chambers —the Chamber of Deputies. elected for a period of six years, and a Senate, comprising 150 members. and elected tor a period of eipht years. Roth were elected by direct‘ballot on the basis of universal suffrage for both sexes. There were six political parties which might be classed as important, Dr. Kuraz said — the Agrarians, the National Democrats, the People's Parly, the. Social Democrats, the National Socialists, and tin: Communists. The Government was carried on through a coalition of the first five of these parties, the Couv-

munlsts and Germans forming the opposition. Education was well provided for, ho said. There were four universities and four ’high 'technical schools, be- J sides many commercial and profes- . sional schools. The Charles Univer • slty of Prague was one of the oldest universities in Europe—it was established in 1348. There were nearly 400 secondary schools and 17,000 elementary schools. Instruction was compulsory. Trade with New Zealand. The two main groups of occupations, Dr. Kuraz said, were agriculture and industry, and they were about equally divided. Foremost of the industries was the textile trade, which employed about 270,000 workmenIron and engineering industries came second in importance, and g'ass and porcelain industries third. Agriculture In Czechoslovakia compared more than 1 favourably with that in oilier European States. New Zealand had a favourable trade balance with Czechoslovakia. Dr. Kuraz added. Statistics showed lh.it for the year ended December 31, 1020, her exports to New Zealand amounted to about £32,014, leaving a balance favourable to New Zealand .at about £100,4 30. Imports of wool from New ' Zealand in 1920 were valued at £131,183.