OUR RUMANIAN ALLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 235, 2 October 1916, Page 8

OUR RUMANIAN ALLY.

DEMOCRATS OF THE BAUKAIfS.

SOME INTERESTING DETAILS.

The entry of Rumania into the war on the side of the Allies naturally makes any information regarding the institutions and people oi that country oi especial interest. A representative ot the "Auckland Star" had a chat with a Rumanian, now resident here, who, when asked to furnish some particulars regarding his native country. said:— "l will only lie too pleased to do so, because there are so few of my countrymen here, that very little is known regarding our inner life at home. In the first place, Rumania is mostly devoted to agriculture, which, of course, means a strong race physically. Up to about 30 years ago, I am safe in saying, iullv 90 per cent, of the Rumanian peasantry were illiterate, but since then education has been made free and compulsory, as it is in New Zealand. Rumania now has schools in every village, and there are very few people under the age of 30 years who cannot read and write. The education system is free right through, from the primary Echool to the conclusion of a university career. What are termed grammar schools in New Zealand, are called i lyceuros in Rumania. In Bucharest there is a lyceum in every suburb. By the way. I notice the name of my native country is spelled here both Roumania and Rumania, but neither is correct. We spell it 'Romania.' and we claim to be descendants of a Roman settlement. In fact. Rumania is really more Latin than either Italy or France. But to return to our educational system. There are two universities, one at Bucharest, and another at Yasy. which was formerly the capital of Moldavia when that country was a, principality. At that time Bucharest was the capital of Montenia. but since the kingdom was established, it became the capital of Rumania. That was in 1877,' when they joined Russia in the fight against Turkey. Rumania has ever been reach- to fight to preserve its nationality and language. A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY. "We are the democrats of the Balkans. Our Press has been free, and the opinions of the people have ever to be considered by the Ministry. That is why Rumania is to-day fighting on the side of the Allies. Rumanian public opinion could not have been ignored as has been the case in Greece. There are two Houses of Legislature, both being elective. In the Lower House there are three classes. Tne illiterate have representatives who can read and write. In the second class, the representatives must liave passed the sth Standard, which is like the 6th Standard in New Zealand, being the highest in the primary schools. Every man not exempted "must have put in his military service before he is entitled to vote. There is no question in Rumania of providing ior conscientious objectors, and no room whatever for shirkers. The conscript system is enforced. The Upper House is restricted to those who arc ratepayers, and no member can be elected who has not passed his matriculation. THE AR_.IT. "As regards the Rumanian army, I have already stated that the c___ner.pt system is enforced. Every fit man, excepting the only supports for parents or widows, has to serve three years. The officers are trained in military colleges, and each one has to matriculate before he gets a commission. The system does ■block promotion from the ranks, btit it ensures that all officers arc intelligent, educated men. No man can enter the \ ■military college until he has matriculated, but, on the other hand, provision is made in the Rumanian education system by which the intelligent son of a working man can get all his education. free. There are no fees at the universities, and food and uniforms are provided by the State. In the first instance, the Rumanian army was modelled on German lines, but more recently the French military system became more popular. HOSPITALS AND HOSTELS. ''There at_ municipal hostels. Each municipality has its hotel, where a man coming into the town is entitled to be boarded and lodged free of cost for three days. No questions are asked beyond his name, and the place from which he came. If the man elects to stay longer than three days, then he has to pay. but the charges are on the very lowest scale -possible. Rumania was the first country in the world to introduce a Pure Food Act, and the State of Victoria was the second, -but we have no Workers' Compensation Act or Old Age Pensions as you have in New Zealand. There are no privote hospitals in Rumania. Our hospital system is quite different from that of New Zealand. Any funds given for hospitals must go to thp State for the public institutions, becattse no fees are charged patients, whether rich or poor. Nor are any questions asked beyond name and address. There is a paid, as well as an honorary medical staff at the hospitals. Another thing is that no private practitioner is allowed hi the rural districts. Doctors are appointed by the State for such places. AVhat is more, no medical man can Tegister unless he is prepared to give two hours each day advice cratis to patients. On his plate the" free, hours have to be stated. There are also State dispensaries where patients get medicine free. The maternity homes arc also free. GERMANS ARE HATED. '""Rumanians as a people have Ion" hated the Germans. To a great extent that is the result of Germans having started industries in Rumania and worked 'them on the Prussian method. They did not employ local labour. All the men wer. imported from Germany. That policy _.«t the Rumanian people against Germ__.ay. Now, the English opened pe.rofc.nm industries in "Rumania, but beyond engineers and supervisors, all local labour- was utilised. It is a saying in my country There is no property for the people where the. German comes but starvation.' The German influence rotated only around the Court and some few politfreft-ns. In the army the French influence has long been paramount. A plebiscite of the officers was taken before Rumania entered the war, and only SO voted for joining Germany. The" rest were for the Allies. The late King Charles was | always referred to as 'the German.' He once told his Ministers that he had mada secret treaty to help Germany and Austria. A Minister at orce replied: 'His Majesty can carry out ids treaty, but it must be done in Gennanv. and not Rumania, where we must be guided by public sentiment.' The present Queen, May, is, of course, 'English, being the daughter of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and her mother was a Russian. All her children are brought up in the English style.