GOOD TEAM WORK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1945, Page 5

GOOD TEAM WORK

ALLIES IN BERLIN

Russians Offer To Leave Stores

In British Zone

' H\Z.J».A. .Special Correspondent Rec ; . 10 ( 30 a.m.. LONDON,. July 12. • : The ; r. ■■ measure of, \ agreement reached at the meeting of. the interAlhed Kommandanture," or governing council for Berlin, is reported to be extremely encouraging.

The British and Americans havenow introduced full military government in their respective zones and correspondents, state that there is to be no violent change in matters where the Russian system of 7nilitary government differs from that of the. Western Allies. One of the most important of these differences is the recognition given by the Russians to anti-Nazi German political parties which thus far have not been allowed to emerge into official existence in the areas of Western Germany occupied by the British and American forces.

The governing council will hold weekly meetings and any changes in policy that may be considered necessary will be discussed beforehand. There is stated to be full agreement on the principle to be followed in supplying the needs of the city in food and fuel and that the Russian authorities show every readiness to co-operate. They have offered to leave in the British zone the stores of civilian supplies which they brought. They also have stores of food collected for the Red Army. It is agreed that a uniform scale of rations shall operate for the city as a whole. No food will be imported from Britain and America to feed the Germans. Adventures In Bartering ■-'■ Berlin has become a' city of barter, where cigarettes are more important than money, correspondents state. One cigarette is reported to be worth ten marks and good cameras are being offered for 50 marks. With no, shops open to them except food and chemists' stores, Berliners are said to have returned to bartering for goods on. a scale even larger than during the last seven months of Hitler's regime; when most of the big department stores maintained, special barter basements.

Barter boards have been set up at nearly every street corner, on which the owners mark what they have for exchange. Many ask for handcarts, boots and shoes, for life in Berlin is nomadic and women with children can "be seen pulling handcarts with " their possessions thereon, seeking homes. Every evening thousands trek to the neai'by countryside in search of food. Thirty cigarettes are offered for. a handcart, mangle or pair of shoes... It is stated that cigarettes will buy things that cannot be purchased for several times their value in money.

The barter , system also extends to communication between Berlin and the rest of Germany, which is impossible by letter or telegram, and cigarettes or square meals are offered to travellers visiting various towns and cities, to carry parcels or letters. ,'...£ ■::;.'".