IN RUMANIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 77, 1 April 1940, Page 3

IN RUMANIA.

AND CAN'T GET OUT.

N.Z. TRAVELLER'S PLIGHT.

CURRENCY PROBLEM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this clay

Arriving at Bucharest, the capital of Rumania, a few days before the outbreak of war, Mr. W. J. McLaughlin, of Fendalton, Christchurch, now finds himself marooned. He would like to continue a trip round the world which began with his departure from Christchurch several months ago, but between him and the coast, where he could take a steamer, five different banks arc operating and not one will accept the other's cun-ency. A train journey northward is the alternative to a trip to the coast, but that would almost certainly lead to internmein, for he would* have to travel through countries that are at war. The Xew Zealand Government has been advised of Mr. McLaughlin's dilemma, and inquiries are being made through the British Minister at Bucharest to ascertain what steps can be taken to facilitate his safe return to British soil.

Writing to his wife, Mr. McLaughlin gives an account of his observations in Rumania, and mentions the uncertainty existing in that country because of the mnssing of Russian troops on the border. He also describes the acute shortage <S food supplies being experienced in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the preparations being made in Italy. Mr. McLaughlin is evidently a close observer of conditions around him, and his letters give an excellent picture of life close to the theatre of war.

On Sunday, December 17, he wrote that it was snowing hard. It was terribly cold and windy, with a little rain. Hie snow was so fine that it blew about like powder and did not wet the clothes or boots. "Coming off the steppes of Russia, -, the letter adds, "the wind is so intense that it nearlv cuts vou in half.

Church Service. "At 11 o'clock I went to church, and then went on to a restaurant with a friend. We had a light lunch, and saw quite a lot of the English colony. \ s usual, they would hardly speak to each other. At the Legation alone there are 4;> of them employed. Few of them " O to church. Nine-tenths of the church congregation consist of Rumanians, Jews Germans, Poles, Dutch, and other foreigners. They are all regular attendants. Very religious, thought I at first, but that is not so. The Jews are trying to change their religion to safeguard their lives and the other* attend *°«™ y to learn the English language. The rest of the lower elates who walk in and out all through t!ie service, are there to pick up any strav hats, coats, glovee, carpets, shoes, or any other useful article left unguarded in the porch. It ie strange to h*»ar the preacher reminding members of hU congregation not to leave anvthiii" of value in the porch. °

"Just the opposite happened the other night, when H. Jacks,,!, l,«t lii< gloves A Rumanian found them and gave them to him, and I reeoverel mv scarf in the same way. They ur? not all bad. Begging is a profession. Today, in the terrible cold and snow, the Gipsies were out at street corner* and near churches. Some are terrible to look on. One young woman, who is always feeding her baby open to the world, was out in the storm. The child must be only three months old. Many have no shoes or stockings. Their clothes are in rage, and I've seen them drinking cold water down on the ground. Danube Frozen Over. "Christmas has come and "one," writes Mr. McLaugfclin in anotluv letter. "It is a<3 cold as the devil. This last month or so the snow has been falling, and it does not melt. Great heaps lie on the sides of the road where the enow ploughs have left it. Most days there are thousands of men and women shovelling lorry loads of snow or carting it awav in barrows.

"All the rivers and lakes are frozen to the bottom. Even the Danuoe is a solid mass of ice. Imagine a river three times the size of the Waimakariri. and twice as deep, one solid block of ice. The English have been praying for this to happen because it will prevent shipping going up to Budapest and Vienna. All the petrol shipments have been stopped by that route and must now be sent bv train.

''They seem to have enough gruin in Germany at present, but no soap. fat. coffee, or chocolate. Even in Budapest a bottle of whisky is almost unprocurable. Here it costs 14/6. but in Buda|>est it is 35/. Coffee and tea are £3 per pound, and in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia there is none at all. Soap is not 64 per cent of fat as it used to be. but 30 per cent now. The rest is chalk.

"The German, Austrian and Czeehoslovakian people are writing to friends here begging for soap, butter, meat, eaupage and other foods. Sausage made in Bucharest is like the German sausage made in New Zealand, but lasts for months and does not go bad. The cost of living in Rumania is about 20 per cent dearer than when I came, but even so it is cheaper than in England. Most days I stay indoors until late, and if I do go out it is to buy food."