A Surprised German

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 168, 17 July 1937, Page 6

A Surprised German

FREEDOM OF THE NEW ZEALAND PRESS P«r Pres* Association. ROTORUA, July 16. Although he carefully avoided ass questions concerning life in German* to-day which might be of a controver *i«l nature, Dr. Hans Luther, a forme. Chancellor of the Reich and until recently German Ambassador to Washington, gave an indication of the restricted scope of the work of newspapermen, during the source of an interview. ••Perhaps yon would like to know something about what I said in my address to the Rotorua Rotary Club/’ ■aid Dr. Luther. Upon being informed by a Government official who was present that the meeting of the Rotary Club had been reported by the newspaper, the distinguished German visitor appeared rather taken aback. “Have you no private life in your country at all!” asked Dr. Luther. 44 In my country reporters are not permitted to attend such meetings and during my association with th e Rotary Club in Berlin I have never seen a newspaperman present. ’ * Dr. Luther was amazed when Dr. llelienthai, German Consul at Wellington, stated that the newspapermen of New Zealand were not only permitted but in nearly every case invited to attend almost every type of meeting held in the Dominion. ’ “The Tress of the country is very free,“ he added. ‘'They are even allowed to publish the colour of your hat and .what kind of lipstick your wife uses."