COUNT VON LUCKNER.

Evening Star, Issue 22895, 1 March 1938, Page 12

COUNT VON LUCKNER.

TO THE EDITOIt. Sir,—l have been watching the movements ami attitude of the count with much thought, and for reasons which I will adduce later. Consequently I was very definitely interested in Mr A. B. Powell’s letter, in your Saturday’s issue, and could only wish that the possible recondite position could, Jong ere this, have been realised by the Prime Minister or the particular department more directly interested. We ought all to bo interested in these German movements, but we are so sluggish and complacent. Mr Powell gives a most arresting quotation from a Hitler official paper, which is surely on the Governmental file and ought not to have been ignored. “Of course he is here,” 1 hear someone say, so “ why worry?” Alas, this is the usual jejune statement we so often hear when the one speaking has little or no - concern for what happens. Our sense of citizenship ought to challenge us to action when there appears something that requires righting. On October 16, only 12 years ago, a representation of the whole German people solemnly signed the Locarno Pact, between Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy and this is what “ Thunderer ” (London ‘ Times ’) sail! editorially, the nest clay: “ Last evening the representatives of the Powers . . . registered their

free and deliberate agreement in a pact of genuine peace. ... It (Locarno) was beflagged and illuminated, and tried, by all means within its power, to express the emotions that a score of nations will feel when they realise that, far away, in the borders of Switzerland and Italy, a very great and liberating event has happened. . . . The light of a new dawn is at last breaking upon the world ... It is a genuine ‘ Treaty of Peace.' . . . The whole

world is changed by the voluntary agreement of the chief Powers, who recently engaged in war, to work together for peace.” Alasl Alas! Only 12 short years and our Empire is having to spend millions of pounds in preparation for, some say, “ Tho next war.” What a mockery! What hypocrisy! And let me again remind your readers that a German representative signed that document on behalf of the German nation.

Now let me give two or three thumbnail “ pictures ” about the count. (1) “ At the end of the second day the scow Moa was sighted (at Red Mercury IslandX, and the launch (the Defence Department’s stolen launch) flying the New Zealand flag, went alongside. Von Luckner boarded the scow, and, threatening the crew with hand grenades and rifles, demanded the surrender of the vessel. There was no alternative, so Captain Francis handed the scow over to the raiders.” (Press statement.)

(2) Berlin cable, March 22, 1937: “ Count von Luckner will sail . . .

on a voyage of propaganda for German ideals. The equipment on the vessel includes a wireless receiving and sending station, and sotod film apparatus.” (3) The Acting Minister of Customs, July 5, 1937:—“ So far as the Government is concerned, Count von Luckner will be treated in exactly the same manner as any other distinguished visitor to New Zealand, and he will be permitted to land without any special restrictions.” . It has been said: “ You British (and New Zealanders are British) people are indeed the most easily gullible people under the sun.” And when X visualise the brave and majestic men who left our shores- and stepped on board their shins in search of justice, but now, up and down this fair land, are broken and emaciated, I am prone to give credence to this assertion about the British, with respect to the visit of Count von Buckner. And, if Mr Powell’s quotation is fully authentic, I do not know where the, - count secures the utter audacity which he manifests in stepping again on our shores. The count mav be a 11 very fine fellow.” but while here he will, surely, be loyal to his own country, as he was when I heard him lecture in New York. There was only a small attendance, even in that great city of seven million people, and before the lecture was halfway through 1 thought it wise to come out. One big heading in the morning paper about my challenging a lecturer who had spent, say. “five minutes ” in our country and then laid himself out to belittle it, was enough for me. I did not want another paper heading. I leave yon, in the light of what I have adduced herein, to judge why I left the meeting; it certainly was a very big strain to stay the last 10 minutes, I can assure you.—T am, etc., W. J. Bap.dslev. February 28.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—ln Saturday evening's ‘ Star ' I road with regret y the passage which referred to a “ supposed ” saying of Count von Buckner. I arn no Hitlerite, and am definitely opposed to Nazi views, (nit on the other hand T do believe and am convinced beyond doubt that the notable Count is no believer in such a doctrine. It would be contrary to the views and ideals of this peacemaker if this were true. Knowing, however, that this is not true, I would venture to say that it is up to the people of this Dominion to pay respect to a kindhearted German sailor who helped many a Britisher during the World War. If. however, it had happened to be true, as the correspondent in Saturday night’s ‘ Star ’ believed. I would like to say that if Hitler had searched all Germany he could not have found a fellow who appealed more to humanity and who represented so feebly the ideals of the Hitler regime.—l am. etc.. British Justice. February 28.