NOTED GERMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 16

NOTED GERMAN

VISIT OF DR. LUTHER A FORMER CHANCELLOR * - BRIEF STAY IN DOMINION CONDITIONS IN HOMELAND One of the most distinguished German visitors to New Zealand for many years, Dr. Hiins Luther, who at different periods was Chancellor of Germany, President of the Reichsbank, and a prominent civic administrator, arrived by the Mariposa yesterday. Until recently, Dr. Luther was German Ambassador to the United States at Washington. He was largely instrumental in checking inflation of the German currency in the troublous period of 1923. Dr. Luther, twinkling of eye, whitehaired and courtly, has given 30 of his 58 years to the service of his country in many fields. He firmly but pleasantly declined to answer any questions upon trade agreements which might be arranged between New Zealand and Germany. Ho did not expect to reach his native Berlin until Christmas time, he said, and in the meantime he would travel in New Zealand, Australia and other countries, but only in tho capacity of. a student. German People Happy "The German people are happy," he said, "and no longer is thero the feeling of despair so evident for many years after tho war, especially in the crisis of 1930-31. I was president of the Reichsbank from 1930 until 1933 —a terrible time it was —and can fully appreciate tho difference." Dr. Luther's career began when he graduated in law at Berlin in 1906, and followed through some of the most significant and stressful years in German history. He subsequently became general manager of tho Association of German Cities and held a. number of important, posts during the Great War. Welcome by Consul He was appointed Chancellor of the Reich in 1926, a post he held for 16 months. His appointments in Germany gave him unique opportunities of observing different phases of political, industrial and international relationships, and his knowledge was usefully employed by the German Government. Dr. Luther was met yesterday by Dr. W. Hellenthal, German Consul for New Zealand. Together they will leave Auckland this morning on a visit to Rotorua. Dr. Luther will leave New Zealand for Sydney in a fortnight's time. ' -