BRITISH IN GERMANY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25086, 18 January 1947, Page 9

BRITISH IN GERMANY

REASONS FOR DECLINE IN POPULARITY

LOW RATIONS AND REQUISITIONING • (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. Mr J. B. Hynd, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is the Minister responsible for the British zone of occupation in Germany, returned to the United Kingdom by air yesterday from Berlin. During his tour of the zone he met regional commissioners, with whom he discussed housing, denazification, and food problems. A special correspondent of ‘ The Times” who has been accompanying Mr Hynd says in a message from Hanover that British m* Germany has probably touched its lowest point He adds that the decline from its standing at the time of the capitulation and in the months immediately afterwards is as marked as it is disquieting. The reasons are various. Low rations are the predominant factor, and the promise of an ihcrease to 1800 calories in the second half of this year has done little to cheer the spiritless or appease the resentful Another less general but at the same time important factor is the requisitioning of German homes and furniture. The curve of British popularity sank steeply when requisitioning started and has not yet risen. This was one of the matters Mr Hynd discussed during his visit, and he holds strongly that this cause of ill-will should be removed as far and as quickly as possible. Dr. Rudolf Mueller, German head of the economic committee administering the British and American zones, resigned after a vote of no-confidence by the Economic Ministers of the States in the zones. Deputy Dr. H. Resch also resigned. The German Ministers have nominated Dr. Victor Agartz, aged 49, leader of the Consumer Co-operative Movement and a trade authority, to succeed Dr. Mueller.