Intertitle: ‘To discover what was happening to a quarter of the world’s population, a free lance British film unit recently entered China and obtained these unrestricted impressions of life under communist rule.’
The film crew travel between Canton, Shanghai, Peking and Wuhan. Junks and life on the Pearl river in Canton. Describes the disappearance of the European presence from Shanghai. The Imperial city and the modern dimensions of Peking. Catholic cathedral. Temple of Heaven. Zoo and University. The bridge across the Yangtse River at Wuhan.
A korowai (cloak) from King Koroki was especially made to be presented to Chairman Mao and travelled to China with Ramai Hayward. It now is now housed at the Beijing Museum.
In an interview with Rāmai Hayward from the late 1980’s she told me that Chairman Mao Tze Tung was very interested in the way the cloak was made and the way the feathers were woven into the garment. Rāmai counted this as one of her most memorable moments. LLW 2/10/2012
Further information to hand. New Zealand Women in China by Tom Newnham Graphic Publications isbn 0-473-03005-5 pages 98-99 refer confirms Rāmai’s comments. LLW 15/10/2012. Photocopy with Documentation.