W.E.A.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22908, 16 June 1936, Page 15

W.E.A.

RAILWAY CLASS Tho Railway W.E.A Class was held as usual last Sunday morning, when the subject waa "Germany's Foreign Policy in Relation to New Zealand." The tutor was assisted by another speaker, each delivering a half-hour address, one giving his attention to Germany's policy hi Eastern Europe and the other taking the Western European and colonial aspirations of Germany. During the course of the addresses it was stated that when Herr Hitler wrote "My Struggle" in prison (1923) ho had held that Germany should strengthen her position in Europe and not bother with colonies. In one passage in this book he had written: "German people have no right to dabble in colonies while they are unable to gather their sons into a common State. The only hope for success for her territorial policy is to confine it to Europe." Today Herr Hitler's policy had undergone considerable alteration and a cablegram published on June 11 had stated that " Herr Hitler has approved a publicity campaign for the restoration of German colonies, which Dr Goebbels will launch shortly." This altered policy directly concerned New Zealand, holding as she does the mandate over the former German colony of Samoa. The British Government had declined to close the door absolutely against discussion of the possible restoration of mandated territories to Germany. Should New Zealand consider relinquishing Samoa, either to Germany (under League mandate) or to a united League Administration such as had been ■uiggested by Dr Arnold Toynbee?

This, along with other questions, was carefully enlarged upon by both speakers. Germany's side of the case was taken into consideration, as was the fact that Herr Hitler has offered a new peace plan. The treaties broken by Germany were those she had been compelled to sign by force of circumstances after the war, and Herr Hitler had stated that he was prepared to abide by any agreements which were entered into voluntarily by Germany. On the other hand, Germany's whole policy' under Herr Hitler had been one of aggression, and it seemed apparent that a continuation of this policy would be likely to cause another European upheaval. Could a treaty with Germany have any real value while she was under a dictatorship? Herr Hitler had stated time and time again that Germany must expand, and the world was waiting to see how this would be attempted. At the conclusion of the two lectures the remaining time was occupied in questions and discussion.