VON LUCKNER'S VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 8

VON LUCKNER'S VISIT

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l have read several of the letters which have appeared from time to time in your paper, and cannot help feeling a bit disgusted. Everyone has heard of Count yon Luckner, surely one of the cleanest fighters in that grim struggle, the Great War. Surely we New Zealanders are going to_ extend to, this visitor the same hospitality we have extended to so many other visitors of all colours. There is always a type of person that makes bad of anything, but I feel-sure he is not the genuine New Zealander. Although Count yon Luckner was on the losing side, let that make no difference. He at least proved himself a thorough gentleman and is entitled to the same warm welcome that has been extended to so many others. —I am, etc., THOMAS JAMES SOUTHWOOD. "Elvee," writing on the same subject, states: "After what was to most people a satisfactory decision by the Hon. Mark Fagan, many will wonder why the Count's visit should be so disturbing to some people. . If they were sincere in their fear of anything this distinguished man might say to influence sympathetic thought towards Germany in the working-out of her problems, why not be consistent and ask for a check upon the activities oi Communistic and Rationalist propaganda in our midst? Surely these are more damaging to our youth than « general resume by a visiting lecturer upon facts as they obtain in his own land. Recently we were treated to a Rotary talk by 1 .•ofcssor Shelley upon the value of reciprocity in radio broadcasting as a means towards better international understanding; at the present we have several overseas delegates here, representing various countries, and their object is to promote a better international fellowship in education and thought.' Then only this week the 2YA station gave us an enlightening discussion between Messrs. Tombs and Parry on the subject of the Nazi administration. In addition, we have had the published impressions of New Zealand visitors to Germany during recent months, and they have been almost wholly a commendation of conditions in this great country.

"Three years ago one of our religious denominations held an international congress in Berlin, and the New Zealand ' delegate (a level-headed Scotsman) gave his summary of that event to a large audience in Wellington. A big number present were young people, but I have never heard that the address caused the youth to become dissatisfied with democracy, but it did give them an enlightened outlook. The lecturer stated that the Germany of today felt very keenly that it had been misrepresented, and Christian men ought, in the interests of peace, to try to remove such conditions and fears. . . . Surely we may desire to hear more regarding Germany's vast institutions—political or educational —from one of her own countrymen-"