OLYMPIC GAMES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19104, 27 August 1936, Page 15

OLYMPIC GAMES

CARE OF VISITORS GERMANY'S ORG ANIS ATION Warm tribute to Germany's organisation and forethought in providing every facility for overseas visitors to the Olympic Games is paid by an Aucklander. Mrs. G. A. Hurd-Wood, writing from Berlin on the opening day of the Games. One particular service was Unit of volunteer guides, and remarking on their assistance, Mrs. Hurd-Wood seemqd to probe the mood of the nation at that time, for she was told: "If we invite people here we must see they enjoy themselves by seeing what they want to see, going where they desire, and sending out their own impressions." The traveller found the Germans to be "friendly, kind and hospitable, and always anxious to help." Whoa she arrived at her hotel in Berlin she was handed a letter of welcome from the Berlin Official Tourist Association, informing her that it would be pleased to. help in any way. She called at the office to make inquiries about social welfare work, and says she learned much more than anticipated. The housing scheme for the working people in various parts of the country favourably impressed the writer. PROVISION OF INTERPRETERS "One instance of the hell) given visitors from overseas," Mrs. HurdWood continues, "is the provision of interpreters for the duration of the Games. No fee is charged, yet the men and women all hold professional positions in Berlin, and are giving at least part of one day a week in appreciation of courtesies received in countries which they have visited. "The interpreters also have had training in guiding, and are conversant with topics to interest the tourist," writes Mrs. Hurd-Wood. "A guide escorted me through the Deutsehland Exhibition, where there were many things of interest to New Zcalanders, but also many things which would cause concern. For 1 instance, I handled artificial wool, which both felt and looked like the genuine thing."