MODERN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22714, 29 October 1935, Page 7

MODERN GERMANY

COURAGE COMMENDED Warm admiration of the courage and efficiency of modern Germany was expressed by Sir Donald M'Gavin, of Wellington, who returned by the; Rangitiki this week from a visit to Great Britain and the Continent. Sir Donald- said that in Germany he was much impressed by the cleanliness of the cities and the intensive cultivation in rural districts. Such a thing as a weed on a farm was practically unknown. The German people seemed to be working cheerfully and willingly for very small wages, imbued with the spirit of patriotism and determination to rebuild the prosperity of their country. Sir Donald said that he saw no signs of the intimidation that one would expect from reports that were received overseas, although on the boundaries of several towns notices were posted up which might be roughly translated as "No Jews Allowed Here." Uniforms were commonly seen in the streets, but he thought that they had no military significance. Organisations which wore uniforms were comparable rather to the Boy Scouts than to military organisations. The Germans had found that putting the young people in uniform aroused in them the spirit of loyalty to their country that could not be as readily attained by other means. One of the methods by which the German Government was attracting tourists was by the issue of registered marks at pre-war parity. registered marks were obtainable for £1 sterling, as compared witli 12 ordinary marks. The registered marks had to bo spent in the country. Each tourist was allowed 50 a day. Although the registered marks were supposed to be spent on travel and hotel expenses, they could be spent in the shops on books and necessaries. Reports of a serious quarrel between Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church were, said Sir Donald, greatly exaggerated. _ Hitler himself was a Roman Catholic, and loyal to his faith. His quarrel was only with those who used the Roman Catholic Church as a political weapon and the pulpit as a place from which to broadcast anti-Nazi propaganda.