VON LUCKNER’S LECTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 95, 21 March 1938, Page 11

VON LUCKNER’S LECTURE

AVELLINGTON CROWD’S OVATION. Per Preps Association. AVELLINGTON, Dlarch 20. Count von Luckner received a tremendous ovation when lie spoke in AVelllngton on Saturday night. So far from there being any hostile demonstrfttion the Count was warmly appended. The lecture was punctuated by repeated dapping. Afterwards it was fully half an hour before he was able to leave the Opera House because of the crowds round the doors. Among tho audience were many uniformed soldiers and sailor*! and returned soldiers who listened to the former enemy s description of how he evaded the Bntish naval blockade. The lecture contained no propaganda. Declining the challenge of the Dew Zealand Federation of Labour, repeated on Saturday, to debate the Mm cause on the public platform Count von Luckner to-day repeated that lie refused to be drawn into any political controversy. He would make no . answer to the federation’s further statement, which criticised bis reply to the original challenge. “If I make a reply, then they will answer that again, and I must in-turn make. a further reply and so it can go on indefinitely, lie explained. “I have not come to talk politics, but vou can be-assured it is not from weakness that I make no answer All mv victories have been won in the face of blockades ’ He dismissed the subject with an impatient gesture.