IMPROVED OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 June 1939, Page 10

IMPROVED OUTLOOK

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION j HITLER LOSING PRESTIGE NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS . LUnited Press Association] WELLINGTON. Bth June. ; | A general feeling was gaining ground in England, which he believed to be absolutely true, that there was not going to be war, said Mr F. G. Williamson, of Wellington, who returned this week from a visit to England and the Contin- | ent. Once that feeling gained momen- i j turn there would be a big revival on the ; stock market as there was a large ; amount of money awaiting investment, he continued. There was a courageous optimism about for the future, of the country. Since September Hei r Hitler had lost his influence in the political world, said Mr Williamson, and the lead had now been taken by the democracies. He suffered his first reverse in his inability to take Danzig. He oitly withheld action because he knew that if he took Danzig there would be war as England was prepared to go immediately to the help of Poland. That time it was Hitler who drew back and not the democracies. Though Mr Williamson thought it was likely that Hitler would take Hungary, ir. which case it was doubtful if it were worthwhile for Britain to interfere, that should not be taken as a sign of weakness on the part of the democracies. The air defences of Great Britain hud improved tremendously since September, Mr Williamson added, and there were countless aerodromes ail round London. It appeared to every-; body that Britain had the finest and fastest aeroplanes in the world. Many cl the.shadow factories were believed to' U ahead of their estimated rate of production. Recruiting for the air force [ was proceeding at a tremendous pace and there was no shortage ol' capable [ n en. In Germany, he was told, there was a great shortage of pilots.