INDEPENDENT RACE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 28, 13 November 1947, Page 3

INDEPENDENT RACE

Long Experience With Swiss People VIEWS OF N.Z. RELIGIOUS WORKER A friendly, kindly and independent people is how Mr George Wix, who has been engaged on religious work in Switzerland almost continuously since 1927, described the Swiss people in conversation with a “Guardian” reporter yesterday. Mr. Wix and Miss Lottie Wix. who have both been working in Switzerland, were visitors to Ashburton yesterday, and they were accompanied by Miss Alice Wix, who they rejoined on their homeward journey in America, she being engaged in religious work in that part of the world. Compared with others parts of Europe Switzerland was not badly oif during the war years, Mr Wix related. Though fats, butter and' meats were strictly rationed, there' were always plenty of vegetables, potatoes and fruits. Rationing of clothing was relaxed soon after the cessation of hostilities, he continued, and shoes and other articles could he obtained in any quantities of course at a price. He believed that food rationing had now also been done away with, that was since the departure of his sister and self.

Great. Electrical Resources

While possessing great resources of hydro electric power, stations being constructed even at the foot of great glaciers and the water being used several times over, the country was almost without raw materials, he stated. For essential raw materials therefore Switzerland had to look to countries like Sweden, Belgium and Germany. Pre-war a considerable trade had been built up with Germany and for the sake of sheer existence 4 Switzerland had had to continue to trade with Germany after the war had commenced, exchanging agricultural products for raw materials. While there had been a good deal of talk about this trade, he thought that the Allies had eventually realised that Switzerland had no alternative.

Famed for its true democracy, Mr Wix agreed that Switzerland has a wide degree of freedom and independence. In its 22 cantons speaking either French, German or Italian and in a few valleys against Austria a language known as Romanasch, there were virtual independent governments in each, owing allegiance to the confederate government in Berne. In confederate affairs any major matter of policy was submitted to the people for their ruling by means of the referendum. Essentially Agricultural The country is essentially agricultural, recounted Mr Wix. Cattle are extensively reared being housed and hand fed often right throughout winter and summer. Because it was too wet there were not many sheep. Having escaped the devastation and disorganisation of war Switzerland was in the happy position of having her industries intact now when there was a great demand for her products, said Mr Wix. A shortage of labour was the problem confronting this land of 4,500,000 now, and many Italians were being brought in to make up the leeway. Wooden furniture was being exported in big quarftities. Prefabricated huts and buildings bad been sent out during the war and since. The watch industry, of which the country is famous for its quality, is again fully under way. Before going to Switzerland in 1927 Mr Wix spent two years in Germany where he mastered (lie language. To move round freely in this country where several languages were spoken it was advantageous to have a knowledge of each, he said.