Page:Rambles in Australia (IA ramblesinaustral00grewiala).pdf/43

Rh, and not to be lightly pronounced upon by the casual visitor, it is the glory of Australia that she has no poor.

It appeared to us, especially in the West, that a characteristic type is developing; lean, loosely hung, wiry, with eyes deep-set from the strong sunlight. In odd contrast to European towns, men everywhere preponderate over women in the streets. Perhaps because of its newness, the attitude of the other states to Western Australia is still a little patronising. Western Australians themselves are fully conscious of this, they on their part always talk about "the East" in tones of desire: "I hope we shall go to the East next year," is often heard in Perth. At first we thought they meant China or Japan, but we soon found that in Western Australia "the East" means Melbourne or Sydney. They stand for London or Paris, and one lady said plaintively: "If I have a nice dress, when I go to see my sister in 'the East,' she says, 'You didn't get that made in Perth.'"

Perth, however, is looking forward. She knows the time will come when she can compete fearlessly with her elder sister the capital of "the East." Meanwhile she has achieved the acquisition of the most attractive zoological gardens of any Australian city. They are small, but