"HAIL, HITLER!”

Evening Star, Issue 21630, 27 January 1934, Page 17

"HAIL, HITLER!”

PATRIOTIC SHOW DECEIVES PRESSMAN COMEDY ON GERMAN BARQUE [Special to the * Star.’] AUCKLAND, January 25. . A young reporter who boarded the German barque Magdalene Vinnen when she arrived from Townsville yesterday afternoon forgot that there has been a revolution in Germany. He greeted the master of the vessel with the ordinary “ Good-day, Sir,” to which Captain Peters responded' by clicking his heels, raising his right hand, and saying solemnly: “Hail. Hitler!” pronouncing the first word “bile.”.

Knowing quite well that he bears not the slightest resemblance to the redoubtable Adolf, the tactless reporter grinned. “Do not laugh at that,” said Captain Peters indignantly. “For laughing like that in Germany you would be sent to a concentration camp.” "While the reporter was trying to stutter out an apology the Harbour Board pilot who had brought the ship into port came to the rescue with a question anent conditions in the Fatherland. “ I have never seen such a change in a country in such a short time,” said Captain Peters. “All the streets are clean and tidy, there are no crimes allowed, and no Communists.” ‘“And no jokes?” asked the reporter, who had got over the apologetic stage and remembered only that he had been called “ Hitler ” (of whom he is not an admirer). / “ You do not make jokes’about the German Government in Germany or you go_ to a concentration camp,” said Captain Peters, “and there you are finished.” His gesture was expressive. At this moment one of the officers came into the chartroom with a bundle of documents for the captain to sign. As he urned to go Captain Peters clicked his heels, raised his right hand, and solemnly boomed: “Hail, Hitler I” The officer stopped with a look of astonishment on his face, and then, catching the captain’s wink, he grinned broadly. His remark as he turned again to -the door without returning the salute might’ have been translated as “Pull their other leg, Skipper,” or perhaps “Don’t show off in front of visitors, Skipper,” for Captain Peters laughed heartily. Meanwhile a small launch with a German flag even larger than that of the 3.47(5 ton barque hoisted to her masthead was circling the Magdalene Vinnen. Aboard her a dozen hands were reaching for the sky and a dozen voices, male and female, were hailing Hitler in as many different keys. Leaning over the bulwarks, the crew of the Magdalene Vinnen grinned broadly, but so far away from Adolf’s concentration camps they did not bother about their gymnastics. • ( Ashore again after his Lvief interview, the reporter fastened along Quay atreet, filled with patriotic infection. Meeting an old and tried friend, he raised his hand in the approved manner and roared, “ Hail, Forbes!” Then he had to sidestep smartly to dodge a wicked straight left.