HOME FROM EUROPE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 January 1928, Page 7

HOME FROM EUROPE.

IMPRESSIONS FROM THE.CONTINENT. SPORT-LOVING GERMANS. After two and a half years of life in England and many tours to different parts of Great Britain and Europe, Miss Eileen Clarkson has returned to Auckland firmly convinced that the best of all methods of travel is to work as you go, and thus enter fullly into the life of the community in which, for the time being, you are placed (says the ‘‘Dominion”). . ‘‘l found the Germans to bo a friendly people,” she said, ‘‘and well disposed toward the English. They have come to feel that it was a tragic mistake for the two nations to bo at war. They have not the same friendly feelings toward the French, who they sayhave not fulfilled their obligations in withdrawing troops in proportion to the payment of indemnities.”Miss Clarkson said that the German people seemed to be living on their own resources, whereas Italians appeared to live on the tourists. ‘‘l was impressed with the way in which the Germans are throwing themselves into athletics, Miss Clarkson remarked. ‘‘The cult of the out-of-door life has taken a big hold.” . , A subsequent visit to Vienna created the impression of extensive poverty' among the Austrians. ‘‘An English lady, who is married to an Austrian, assured me, however,” said Miss Clarkson, ‘‘that conditions are improving. Vienna has a big socialist housing scheme —probably bigger than any city 7 in the world. Largo blocks of buildings like flats have been erected, and they are let at reasonable rates. Some people told me that the effect of high taxation has been to drive a lot of capital out of the country. It is believed that much of this is now returning.”