“WAR CAN YET BE AVERTED”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 12

“WAR CAN YET BE AVERTED”

OPINION OF GERMAN

VISITOR

WEIGHT OP PUBLIC OPINION FOR PEACE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TKI.KCRAiI.)

WELLINGTON. September 28

In spite of the gravity of international affairs, it is the firm opinion of Dr. O. Ziegler, a German visitor, who arrived by the Wanganella this morning, that war can yet be averted in Europe. Dr. Ziegler, whose home is at Frankfurt, said that he felt convinced that German public opinion was so wholeheartedly against war that it would prevent' the ultimate recourse to armed force.

“No ope in Germany wants to go to war,” he said, “We have so much in common with you British that we cannot make war against you. 1 have travelled through many countries during the last few months and everywhere I have gone the feeiing has been the same. War is so terrible that everyone wants to avoid it. It is unfair to represe n ' H -ir Hitler as a war-minded German leader. He is very anxious in find a peaceful way out of the present difficulties.” Dr. Ziegler said that it was five months since he left Germany, and although he was unable to say_ anything about the present conditions there, he could say very definitely that the German people, as a nation, were extremely anxious to preserve peace.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHER

COUNTRY

MOTION CARRIED AT POLITICAL MEETING

European affairs claimed the attention of the audience for a short time at a political meeting at Sumner last evening. A resolution affirming the electors’ willingness to stand by Britain in the present crisis was carried unanimously. , , The meeting was one arranged by Mr I. J. Wilson. The resolution, moved by Mr G. S. Mackenzie, was as follqws: “This large assembly of SumnerRedcliffs electors of the Lyttelton electorate, on this momentous occasion when the Mother Country is in the shadow of a world-wide war, affirm their willingness to stand by her, fully cognisant of the responsibilities involved.”