MODERN GERMANY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1937, Page 10

MODERN GERMANY

RIGID CONTROL

MR. WILKINSON'S VISIT

PROSPEROUS BRITAIN

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Women performing manual labour*in the fields, grim-visaged Nazi police, everywhere, a poor harvest reaped with primitive-scythes, inferior living conditions, strict laws enforced by an unbending Government, practically no agricultural machinery, farmers growing grain crops but unable to feed the wheat to the fowls —these are among the impressions of modern Germany obtained by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, member of Parliament for Egmont, who returned by the Akaroa this morning after an extensive business tour of Great Britain and the Continent.

"A large portion of the national reyenue is being expended on armaments, and Germany is tightening her belt," he said. "A very rigid control is enforced in the disposal of crops. Everything is under Government control, even every yard of agricultural land, but this year the harvest was bad, and the country is undergoing a very difficult period. Living conditions are definitely below those in Britain and New Zealand."

In contrast to Germany, Mr. Wilkinson said that Czechoslovakia appeared to be thriving. He attributed the content and prosperity to. the recent change in Government.

"England is prospering," he remarked. "There are no signs of unemployment, and London is growing at a rapid pace. Factories are being built in all directions, and the city limits are being extended." He added that new cars were going on the roads at the rate of 500 daily.

"Re-armament," said Mr. Wilkinson, "is goirig on at an unprecedented rate. It is responsible for a scarcity of raw materials and labour. While I altogether agree with the policy, I think it may eventually cause reaction."

Mr. Wilkinson paid a glowing tribute to the High Commissioner. "Mr. Jordan," he said, "seems to be filling the bill in a very satisfactory manner. He is very popular, and gives an immense service to all visitors from New Zealand."