GERMANY’S GOVERNMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 21292, 22 December 1932, Page 8

GERMANY’S GOVERNMENT.

Torn by faction, Germany waits for a strong man to lead her to unity. The present unruly conditions are due to the war and its aftermath, and not to a naturally rebellious people. Inherently the Germans are law-abiding, and we may expect to see them emerge from the present disturbed conditions to the traditional atmosphere of political stability and industrial efficiency. The President has done much to hold the country together, but he is handicapped by extreme old age and the fact that his sympathies are with the party that seeks to restore the monarchy. It is claimed by foreign observers who have moved freely about the country that the majority of the people who favour the republican form of government are strong enough to check the monarchist aims. There was talk some time ago of Bavaria breaking away from the union that was accomplished by Bismark, and setting up an independent kingdom under Prince Rupprecht, but of that movement little has been heard lately. The man of the hour in Germany is General Von Schleicher, and his admirers place great hopes on his administration. It remains to be seen whether he is strong enough to deal with the conflicting parties in a way that will pacify the more aggressive elements, and induce them to place State before party. Fear has been expressed that Von Schleicher is filled with the old Junker spirit that caused Germany’s downfall, but the few public utterances that ho has made so far fail to support that idea. His statements have been invariably pacific. On the matter of national defence he said: “ We are ready to arm our soldiers with knives and paper shields if our neighbours will do likewise, but Germany’s array, like any other, must guarantee the country’s safety.” This is a reasonable declaration. Then he followed it up by declaring that lie was not only a soldier but an impartial administrator, bringing not a sword, but peace. The implication of these remarks is obvious. He realises that one of his country’s chief needs is to bring peace into the political atmosphere, so that the process of rebuilding the country’s industries and restoring them to their pre-war strength may proceed with as little interruption as possible. As a first step the Chancellor means to try conciliation. He proposes to relax the strict measures that were enforced by the Von Papen Government, and lie recommends the people to settle their political differences in a “ manner worthy of civilised people.” Though there have been scenes in the Reichstag and riots in the streets of various towns, accompanied by loss of life, the position is not nearly so bad as has been suggested. Germany to-day, one observer remarked, is a country where everybody riots and all disorder occurs punctually. Ho means that the outbreaks are planned by the various factions with the care and efficiency associated with the German people in all their undertakings. The hoodlum elements are naturally drawn into them. But in the aggregate the results are not disastrous, and the in as at, of the people pursue their way uot greatly disturbed by the clamour of the factions. As things are at the moment the ilea of civil war has faded

into the background, and if General Von Schleicher has the necessary force of character and personality lie may succeed where Dr Ilruening failed, and lead Germany back to the paths of internal peace and prosperity. He has had the courage to check the Nazis, who in some ways arc more threatening, because of their greater strength, to the well-being of the country than the Communists. It is in the measures that the Chancellor takes against these two extreme sections that will be the test of his ability to lead the country to better ways. > '

The final accounts in connection with the concert arranged for the benefit of Mr Aloe Regan wore presented by the honorary secretary (Mr G. A. Wycherley) to a meeting of the committee last evening. The net amount realised was £63 5s 9d, and this has been forwarded in full to Mr Regan. With the exception of the permanent theatre •staff, everyone connected with the organisation of the concert gave their services gratis, and the committee thanks all who assisted in any way to bring about such a highly successful result as that achieved. The postal authorities advise that the Rangitata, which reached Auckland from London yesterday, has 83 bags and 54 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The letters and papers arc due at the local office to-morrow, and the parcels next week. The Niagara, due at Auckland on Monday from Vancouver, has 87 bags of mail (English and American) for Dunedin. This is due here neijt Wednesday afternoon. Representatives of the University Council and the Education Board this afternoon met the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Finance and Customs) in connection with the closing of the Training College, and put before him a scheme for the training of teachers in which the University would participate. An improvement in general cargo imports for November was reported to the Wellington Harbour Board. The chairman (Mr Norwood) said that the figures were satisfactory as showing a tendency toward a movement in trade in a direction which would be helpful in a small way to the board’s finances and the country generally. It was the first month for a considerable time that the figures had shown an upward tendency.—Press Association. The liner Rangitata, which arrived at Auckland yesterday from London, brought a large Christmas mail- for New Zealand. The letters alone totalled 1,000 bags, and there were 550 receptacles of parcels. The vessel carried 148 passengers, among them being a number of sportsmen who have come to New Zealand for the fishing season. Yesterday was the last day for the payment of city rates without the incurring of a 10 per cent, penalty. As usual there was the eleventh-hour rush during the past few days, and the receipting clerks were kept working at top pressure. The amount to bo collected this year totalled £275,187, as compared with £304,485 last year, a decrease of £29,298. The reduction has been brought about by a lowering of the rateable value and by a lowering of tli© basic rate, which this year is 4s IRI in the £, compared with 4s 5d in the £ last year. The amount collected this year will not be known for a day or two, as a considerable amount which came in by mail has yet to be checked. The percentage of last year’s rates still outstanding is about 4J. The premises of Mr D. T. Moffat, butcher, at the corner of George and Howe streets, were entered between [ 10.20 last night and 7.30 this morning, the back door being forced open. Four hams, a 601 b roll of bacon, and two legs of mutton, of a total value of £6 4s 6d, were stolen. There was no damage in either case when a grass fire at the corner of Bedford street and Beach road, St. Clair, was attended to by the brigade yesterday afternoon, and when a chimney fire in Maitland street was extinguished in the early evening. A merino ram of high pedigree, bought by Mr Robert Jopp, of Moutere Station, through the firm of Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co., was landed from Tasmania on Tuesday morning. The animal, which has all the points of an aristocrat among his species, was bred by Messrs T. and G. Muirhead, of “ Woodford,” Tasmania, having been sired by Record. At the Midland Agricultural Society’s show in 1931 this ram was ono in a first prize pen of two rams under one year, and at the same show in 1932 ho was ono in a first prize pen for the best four-tooth rams unhoused. In accordance with the usual Government regulations the valuable immigrant will «be kept till next Tuesday under quarantine conditions in a small grass paddock in the vicinity of the wharf. When visited this morning he showed any amount of activity and high spirits, and altogether appeared an ideal stud animal for the high country. The large eighty-passenger motor launch Tinopai recently built at Auckland for Mr M. Steel, of Picton, was totally destroyed by fire while anchored at Torea last night. The party_ was ashore enjoying a moonlight picnic. The vessel, which was not insured, cost £2,000, —Blenheim Press Association.

Tho wool sheds workers at Port Chalmers were busy this morning dumping wool from the recent wool sale for shipment. About 1,000 bales were to hand, with more to follow. The Canadian Leader, which is due here to-morrow or Saturday, will probably lift the first shipment of this season’s wool.

Save your eyes. Be wise and consult W. V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—[Advt.] Tho Mayfair Dance Club announces an extended dance on Monday night, in addition to the usual Saturday’s dance. No increase in the charge is to he made for the extended night. Ladies’ Bags absolutely at cost. • Cheapest Toys and Dolls in town. See the windows. Children’s Books for all ages, at every price. A splendid selection of New Books, just landed, at half-price. Please call and inspect.—Newbold’s, 275 George street (at penny section). —[Advt.] Mr Harry Roberts has now joined the staff of Reid’s Garage, 229 Moray place (above Vernon Smith’s Corner), and is in charge of the Servicing Department. For the convenience of the motoring public the garage will now be open for day and night Parking and the supply of Petrol and Oils. -[Advt.] St. Clair will be the scene of a big carnival during Xmas week. A largo band of workers is making all preparations for the thousands of people who will throng tho esplanade at St. Clair during the carnival. All the fun and excitement of Exhibition days will bo revived, so that nobody need bo dull. One-third of tho profits will go to the mayor's relief fund. The Unemployed Band will be in attendance nightly, and large crowds arc expected.