NAZI PERSISTENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 21620, 16 January 1934, Page 6

NAZI PERSISTENCE.

Austria has shown such strong opposition to Germany’s desire to have her included in the Reich that overt Nazi propaganda has for the moment almost ceased. A cable message to-day, however, indicates that there, is still Nazi activity in the background. It is announced that a German princeling, who was attached to the Berlin legation at Vienna, has been deported. This official is a scion of the house of Waldeck, which was formerly a minor State, but is now absorbed in Prussia. Apparently he was a German emissary, acting in the Nazi interest under the direction of Herr Rosenberg, who it will be remembered went to England recently on a mission to explain Nazi aims and purposes. In Austria’s fight, against absorption by Germany many strong undercurrents are to be discovered. Almost at any time since the war Austria was in such dire distress that she would have been willing to be saved by her neighbour, but • Germany herself was so distraught that her vision could not extend beyond her own borders. Now the opportunity appears to have passed. Austria is in a better way, and her national pride and consciousness have reasserted themselves. It is impossible to gauge the extent of the Nazi sentiment in Austria. Dr Steidle, the Austrian director of public safety, with especial charge of the Tyrol frontier region, who is a fierce opponent of the Nazis, considers that about 30 per cent, of the Austrians are convinced Hitlerites. If this is correct and the Nazi fever spreads, Austria’s integrity is by no means safe. The stand taken by Nazi headquarters at Berlin is that there are a hundred million Germans in Europe, with only sixty-five millions living in the Reich, therefore “ our task must be to redeem our fellow-Germans.” A good start would be to absorb seven million Austrians. But there are serious barriers, apart from the opposition of Dr Dollfuss and his colleagues and the national pride and sentiment in Austria. The sympathy of. France in this matter is

entirely with 'Austria. France’s position' as the strongest Power on the Continent is dependent on her success in keeping Germany and Austria apart, and she has worked strenuously to that end. Italy entertains much the same feelings. It really resolves itself into the old Continental struggle for the balance of power, in which the smaller surrounding States are diplomatic pawns in the game. The Nazis’ aggressive attitude makes the eastern frontiers of Germany the danger zones which the foreign offices of Europe are watching with anxious and sleepless eyes. The chief bulwark against such aggression is the immensely strong combination which is presented by the forces of Poland and the Little Entente, backed up by France. Added to this is the influence of Italy, which has shown unmistakably its sympathy with Austria’s desire for independence.

No signs of swordfish or mako sharks were observed off Kaikoura yesterday by Commander Eric Rhodes and Mr Norman Campbell, of Glendhu, who have been spending the week-end in the district for the purpose of investigating the possibility of developing deep-sea fishing off the coast. They spent a day in their launch, but the weather was bad and the water deeply discoloured, and nothing was seen of the fish, which, according to local residents, at times abound in those waters. Commander Rhodes said the trip to Kaikoura had beep made purely for the purpose of investigating the possibilities of the sport. Though no fish had been seen it was still hoped that in March* when the water had grown warmer, sport would be obtainable off the coast, and it was probable that Mr Campbell would return then to make another attempt.—Christchurch correspondent. It is forty years since the last red whale was seen at Stewart Island. A native of Stewart Island describes the incident as follows:—At Chew Tobacco Bay, on the east coast of Stewart Island, he met Mr Abram West returning from fishing in a perturbedstate. The reason for his being put out, for Mr West was not an imaginative person, was that he had left his nets unhauled because a huge red. monster was cruising about in the vicinity of the nets. The narrator persuaded the old man to go back with him in the fishing boat and make, further investigation. The “ monster ” proved to be a small whale, but it was all over the colour of a crayfish, its ruddy tint making it vpry noticeable. That took place forty years ago. There was a clean sheet at the Police Court this morning.

The residents of the week-end township of Aramoana, on the Spit, held a special meeting of their Progress League on Saturday night. The needs'of the township were discussed and proposals for improvements were approved. It was decided to ask the county council to raise the outside of the road round the sharp bend. at Grassy Point in order to make it safer for motorists. At present the road slopes in the wrong direction. The road from Tayler’s Point to the township needs surface improvement, and it was resolved to endeavour to get this work done. The meeting decided to organise a working bee to clear and improve a piece of ground for cricketing,' the area in question having been granted by the Harbour Board for that purpose: also to erect two swings for the children on the Recreation Ground. Mr J. Zimmerman was re-elected president of the league and Mr A. L. Cassie secretary, an active committee being appointed to assist them. A novel fine was inflicted on four boys who appeared in the Children’s Court at Christchurch on Saturday morning. They were deprived of their dinners on Saturday, and will have no dinner again next Saturday. The boys were sons of unemployed parents, and with seven other lads appeared on charges arising out of a raid on an orchard. The magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.) was at a loss to find suitable punishment for them, the others having been ordered to make good a portion of the damage done, and finally hit on the novel plan of depriving them of their dinners. The parents, who were in the court, were instructed to see that the sentence was carried out., “ It is a relief to us to be in a country where the people are so loyally British, and where there is no dissension about their allegiance to Great Britain,” said Lady Bourne, a South African visitor, in an interview at Christchurch. Lady Bourne said that she had noticed particularly that New Zealanders were .united in their loyalty to the Empire. It was a contrast to South Africa, where feeling between the Dutch and British subjects ran so high. The Government intends promptly to set up the Royal Commission to investigate matters relating to the Maori Land development schemes, and this is expected to be the first important business for decision at the meetings of Cabinet, commencing on Tuesday and continuing on Wednesday. When the Auditor and Controller-General’s report was under discussion in the House, the Prime Minister indicated that a commission would be appointed, with a judge'presiding. It is expected that the commission will comprise three members, and that Mr Justice Smith, of Auckland, and formerly of Wellington, will be requested to take the presidency. He has had considerable experience of Native land matters.—Parliamentary Reporter. Among prominent visitors to the Treaty of -Waitangi celebrations will be Mr Stewart, Minister of Commerce in the Australian Federal Government. He is to be accompanied by Mr Horan (Assists nt Comptroller of Customs) and Mr Murphy (an officer of the Federal Department of Industries and Commerce), as the Commonwealth Minister intends to take the opportunity of discussing with the JNew Zealand authorities the working of the recently completed trade agreement between the two countries. —Parliamentary correspondent.

“ Pending the completion of the forestry inventory, work on which has unfortunately been delayed for reasons of economy, it is difficult to quote the total area of protection forests under State control in the dominion, but it is probably in the vicinity of 5,000,000 acres,” stated the Director of Forestry (Mr A. D. M'Gavock) in his annual report. Although these forests had little or no commercial value, he said, their control, protection, and management were of the greatest importance. “ It is realised,” he added, “ that expenditure on this work will not return any direct revenue to the State, but by applying proper forest treatment these lands can be made to exercise a wonderful influence on the productivity of, the lower-lying ones.” In last night’s issue it was stated that the wholesale price of eggs had risen by Id to lOd a dozen. This statement has been contradicted by a leading produce firm, which reports that eggs have been between 8d and lOd a dozen for about a fortnight, and that they have now; risen to from lOd to Is a dozen,-

The postal authorities advise that the Niagara, due at Auckland on Monday, has 93 bags of English and American mails for Dunedin. The mail should reach the local office on Wednesday afternoon next.

The University Senate met to-day and appointed examiners for 1935 (says a Wellington Press Association telegram.

There were extraordinary scenes outside the Auckland Court this morning. People heaved their way through and rushed up the steps when the gate opened for the Ruawaro murder trial. The crowd at that time was an ocean of swaying bodies and bobbing heads. .Fashionably dressed femininity had no qualms in being swept along in the same way as was precipitated its less smartly dressed sister through the gate. Hats were lost in the scramble and buttons torn off, but no account was taken of such trifles. The anxious janitor, dangling his keys, waited patiently for the “ all clear ” signal, “ No more ” announced the sergeant in charge at 9.50. This decision was final, and four constables forced - the gate back. The disappointed section of the crowd was then left to its own devices. “ That’s the stuff to give them,” called one spectator from Albert Park slopes. “ Fancy women hanging about a court like that.”—Auckland correspondent. For many months after the steamer Breeze went ashore at Godley Head after breaking away from H.M.S. Wakakura which was towing her out to be sunk during target .practice, the hulk bore the sign “ The Navy’s Work.” This had been painted on by some unauthorised persons after the naval party had exploded charges under the hull to make sure she would not shift from the rocks. Some time ago, it is stated, it was brought to the notice of the Naval Department that crews of foreign steamers on leaving Lyttelton were photographing remnants of the old cargo vessel and its notice and exhibiting pictures abroad, frequently with garbled accounts of the stranding. In view of this arrangements were made to have the sign removed and the side of the ship has now been painted over.—Christchurch Press Association.

The Otago team competing in the intermediate and junior swimming championships joined a Southland team on the north express this morning. The Otago representatives are Miss Mavis Pockson, C. Eckhold, J. O’Driscoll, and S. W. Jarvis.

An intimation which has been received by Mr A. A. Paape, of this city, that his application for the registration in Australia of the trade mark “ Granvin ” has been officially accepted, possesses the special interest that this is probably the first occasion of an hotelkeeper in New Zealand securing the registration throughout the Commonwealth of a particular blend of wine or spirits. The trade mark had already been registered in New Zealand. Political activity is reviving, and the Prime Minister will have completed his tour of the South Island by the end of January, and within a fortnight will be followed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Savage), who proposes to address a series of twenty-five meetings on the West Coast and from Christchurch to Bluff. The Labour Party is also arranging another series of meetings, to be addressed’by Labour members, in the Clutha, Central Otago, and Wallace electorates. Parliamentary correspondent.

Save your eyes. Be wise and consult W. V. Sturmer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—[Advt.] Particulars of excursion fares and train arrangements in connection with the Waihola sports and regatta on Saturday, January 20, are advertised in this issue. The Railway Department advertises in this issue that special train at cheap excursion fares will bo run from Invercargill, stopping at Balclutlia and Milton, on Sunday, January 21, returning same day. ; A cricket dance will he held in the Mornington School Hall to-night,, when a pleasant evening is assured patrons. The usual Saturday dance will bo held this jveek.