"A HAPPY LIFE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 301, 19 December 1936, Page 15

"A HAPPY LIFE."

IN A LABOUR CAMP.

AUSTRALIAN WOMAN'S STORY.

What exactly is a German laboui camp? As Miss Dorothy Irvine knev it, it was a converted farm house in tin Black Forest, and occupied;- by 35 girls who spoke no English and an Australian herself, who spoke practically 110 German. In an article in the "Sydnej Morning Herald" Miss Irvine, a chemica pathologist at the Alfred Hospital Melbourne, who has just returned tc Australia from Europe, tells of hei experiences. This lack of words made no barriei to the friendliness of the girls, but there were , occasional difficulties—once i 1 required the efforts of four girls with a dictionary to offer me a bath. "Dc you take a bath?" they inquired politely, I was made so. welcome by these cheerful people that I was very sorry to leave after spending a fortnight with them. It had beeri'surprisingly easy for me to enter the camp. I made an application through a Berlin office; all that was necessary was a certificate of health,' and I had to state my reason i'or wishing to enter the camp. I wrote, "Interest in youth movements in foreign'countries." I also had to write "briefly my life history! ;; I was told by a young woman official of the'organifetion that they are eager to admit foreigners to these camps. The reason for this is that they wish to prove to foreigners that there'is nothing sinister about the camps; in fact, that they are very proud of them. I was not sent to a specially selected camp, but was able to clio' se. my district. 3ly camp was one of about 200 scattered throughout Germany. At other times I was able to visit two other camps, and found them to be very piinilar to my own. The full name is "Woman's Labour Service-Camp." ■■ With the German habit of stringing words together, it assumes the rather formidable title of Frauen* arbeitsdienstlager! Within the last three months,.attendance has been made compulsory,. and every girl between the ages of 18 and 25, whether she be typist or factory worker/ peasant or one of the "idle rich," must give six months' service to the State. I am convinced that this service is very willingly given. DoubtJess, the happy community- life is an attraction, also. The girls' camps began" in imitation of th& already existing -men's labour camps. These had been institiited in the terrible depression years, for men who were willing to do any work in return for their keep. In 1933, when the new regime took over, the possibilities were realised./ Very rapidly the organisation was extended, and iir the middle of last year six months' attendance was made compulsory for all young men prior to. their military service. Variety of Work Undertaken. Just a think o£ the works, not immediately productive, which are made possible by such Cheap labour. I saw men from a camp within 25 mjles'frpm 'Berlin at work under expert supervision on the conversion of waste lands' to land -suit-, able for farmers. In the hills above Heidelberg is an impressive open-air theatre" which was built toy the Arbeitsdienst men. It is =not all hard labour. Instruction in skilled work is given.. t'One lad, who had definite "artistic talent,' was given the job; of painting mural decorations in a newly erected hall at a university. The work done - by the girls is of a different nature, ai . would be expected. One camp runs . kitche.n,. providing meals for thevunehiployed/Of the town. The charge is jfiry small for a good twocourse meal,-'an amount sufficient to cover the cost&v.of the materials being charged; In others, situated near newly-opened farm lands, the girls work in the fields or in the house so that 'the farmer's wife is liberated'' to do outside work. Each district has its own particular needs, hut most , camps do farm labour and social help work, in addition to all the work of their own household. Where ilie mother of a family is ill, or is otherwise in need of help which cannot fibe paid for, one of the F.A.D. girls will go from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to mind the children, sweep, wash, cook, or mend—do anything necessary. The girls are remarkably .capable, as before they go out; to any houses they-: have thorough .e^'erience-:.-under £he. ; guidance of thev.icamp leaders, , in the cooking,.; washing, etc., of the camp, which 'is done by the girls in turn. Many camps are >able to grow most' of their own vegetables.- Fowls, pigs, and even sheep are sometimes kept. Yes, when, a girl goes away from one of .these camps" she is Weir fitted to take over the care of a much larger establishment ' than the home-and-husbani which -is the dearest desire of the majority of-German girls. - I was put to work in the kitchen, a lovely room with tiled walla and the sun streaming itt two big windows. There I'helped* wash up and peel potatoes, neither of which needed other explanation than -signs! . ' • " We had potatoes, hot and boiled, cooked in their jackets, 'cold in salad, or in a"';stew. But we had them every day— about 401b for 35 people. I peeled them, scrubbed them, I sliced them! I felt when one day I was given onions; but I soon wept for my potatoes again!,« The "ifneals were t simple, although quite sufficient, and were often, only one coiirse. If we had soup as well as meat, this was -'served on to the same pfate; as chief washer.-up I highly approved of this-.; idea.-'; At'jfirst, washing up without soap of r soda-' was a little difficult,.: but plenty of hot water in .two enormous sinks served very well. Singing All Day. •• Singing was a frequent pastime for these naturally musical people, and we had a practice almost daily. We sang at flas raising and lowering., morning and night. We .sang he we Worked, or• as we marched in trim - ranks three abveast.i 'V. I fouifd it a hap'py life.., It was even bracing? to join in the five- minutes vigorous, exercises on la'Vyn.: at. s^a.m., with the sky * blood .'red -. the dawn. I was glad, I Fad missed ,of- f inter, when the grotind was'ift'd'eop irt snow.- J .* e '_V , that my gymna^Q^ll^V'r^W^.P llll^'1 over pyjamas wbiild- not "have been sufficient protection for my shivering limbs.

My work was over by about 3 o'clock, and I was free. The history and propaganda lectures, newspaper readings, and weaving lectures were quite beyond my small German. One aay we walked along paths leading through the dark pines which cover every ridge of the Black Forest. Again, we strolled along the banks of the nearby snow-fed stream, running between poplars and willows before it finally • reached the open fields, and was set to work turning mill wheels. Here I learnt the German names of the wild violets and primroses we gathered. The girls looked after their "English Miss," as they called me, in the friendliest manner possible. Indeed, that I gained 41b in weight in the fortnight L was with them, showed how effective it was. It was with regret that I put off the uniform that we »11 wore—the blue and white striped working dress, and the blouse and skirt and wind jacket for outdoor wear. I have an affection for the swastika and wheat sheaves of my : arm badge. W Very heartily did I respond in kind to Hitlers and "happy journeys" which followed' me as my tlain steam.ed' out 'of the station. " - Whatever doubts one may harbour regarding some policies of the National Socialists, thdise camps are very happy, healthy places. The spirit of seivice and good fellowship actuating them is one which many of us might do well to copy.