JEWISH PROBLEMS IN GERMANY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 259, 1 November 1937, Page 10

JEWISH PROBLEMS IN GERMANY.

An Aucklander Returns From Visit Abroad. "During the whole of my travels through the country I never heard a word against Hitler," said Mrs. T. W. Maben, who returned to Auckland by the XiagoMi this morning after having spent several months in Germany. "The Jews, of course, have no time for the dictator; in fact, their position in the country is far from comfortable. In spite of the restrictions, however, there is still quite a large community of Jew* in Berlin, and mont of them are wealthy shop owners." Contrary to the recent stories, the Jews, said Mrs. Maben, were not being forced to leave the country. There was merely a restriction upon their status and in any official position they were forced to make way for the Germans. One of the main problems faced by the Jews in Germany at present was the lack of servants. No German under the tge of 54 could be employed by a Jew. "Despite Hitler's campaign," remarked Mrs. Maben, "you find no ill feeling towards the Jewish race among the individual Germans. They are quite content to let them continue ttu'ir commercial interests in the community."

When about the children of Germany Mrs. Maben said that her impressions were varied. On the whole they looked a sturdy lot of youngsters, but there were occasions when you felt that they needed a little more filling up. Excellent work is being done in the camps. Here children that could not otherwise have the benefits of a holiday were being taught the rudiments of health and recreation. "Lack of butter," said Mr*. Maben, "is one of the chief problems of the German mother. The weekly allowance per head ia onlyone quarter of a pound and this restricts considerably the nutritive value of their diet. When yon see what people eat there you wonder why there are not more cases of bad indigestion." *

Another interesting fact described by Mrs. Maben was the way in which the Germans had adapted themselves to economy. Many young couples married on less than £2 10/ a week and they seemed to live quite successfully. "The wages for women in Germany are shocking," remarked Mrs. Maben. "In an attempt to drive the women back to the home the wages paid to expert workers is terribly small. Efficient typists receive a sum equal to 12/6 a week." When asked about Germany's ban on make-up Mrs. Maben laughed. "It is still a matter of taste," she said. "The girls can use it if they choose, but they have found in most cases that the men do not approve. In the smaller towns you eee very little, but in Berlin there ia still quite a large sale for cosmetics."