FORMER GERMAN COLONIES

Southland Times, Issue 23678, 29 November 1938, Page 8

FORMER GERMAN COLONIES

Return Not Favoured In South Africa POTENTIAL DANGER TO STATES FEARED “If Germany were granted the return of her colonies in South Africa, it would only be a matter of time before her bombs would be raining over Rhodesia and the adjoining colonies,” declared Mr J. Ormandy, of Johannesburg, Transvaal, and formerly of Christchurch, who arrived by the Maunganui from Australia to spend a few months in the Dominion. He is accompanied by Mrs Ormandy. If Herr Hitler gained possession of German East Africa his immediate objective would be the Witwatersrand, a reef of considerable wealth. This was the general opinion of the people in the Transvaal, said Mr Ormandy. With the exception of a portion of the Dutch population they were definitely opposed to the return of Germany’s colonies. Germany would not be satisfied with the country restored to her and it would be only a matter of time before she would be asserting her power : the neighbouring states. The English and the Jews would not want to remain in Africa if Germany were granted the return of her colonies, said Mr Ormandy. Efforts were being m:. .’e to impress the Dutch by the German authorities and broadcasts were made from Germany in Afrikaans. The Transvaal was run financially by Jews, who owned all the big buildings and controlled the larger enterprises. They were great spenders and their influence was widely felt. A big number of Jewish holidays were observed during a year and on these occasions, though the Europeans went about their customary duties, the towns were “dead.” Discussing the reaction of the people to the recent European crisis, Mr Ormandy said the public was apprehensive and there was a concerted rush to sell shares. The share market dropped overnight and thousands of pounds' were lost. Motor-cars were returned to the garages and persons were doing everything to find money. The Jews thought that Hitler should be punished. „ COST OF LIVING Living conditions in South Africa were very good, said Mr Ormandy, and few people who went there from other countries to live failed to remain there. The cost of living was lower than in New Zealand and wages were high. The Europeans enjoyed a. reasonable prosperity and the natives were a contented race. Foodstuffs were cheaper and vegetables and fruit could be purchased at prices that would stagger New Zealanders, who, because of the prices which they were forced to pay, regarded grapes and oranges almost as luxuries. Water was an expensive item, however, and it was necessary first to pay a deposit of £1 or £2 when one occupied a house and wanted a water supply. Rents were particularly high in South Africa, said Mr Ormandy. An ordinary dwelling with two bedrooms cost about £8 10/- a month and for a superior type of residence one would have to pay £l5 a month. Mr Ormandy compared the New Zea-, land railways with the service in South Africa which, he said, was most efficient and far in advance of the New Zealand system.. One could travel from Johannesburg to Durban—a distance of 400 miles—for £2 19/6. The train was fitted with two and six-berth compartments and dining saloons and one could buy practically anything one needed on the journey. The meals served were of an exceptonally high standard. The compartments were equipped with folding beds and a steward provided blankets at a charge of 3/-. One received every attention and all needs were catered for. TRAFFIC CONTROL “Driving a car in Johannesburg is at first very confusing to the visitor because of the countless green, yellow and red traffic fights which the motorist must heed,” said Mr Ormandy. “The streets are full of robots, but one gradually becomes accustomed to them. Traffic regulations there are very advanced.”

When the liner Themistocles, oi> which Mr and Mrs Ormandy came out fsom South Africa, arrived at Adelaide a week or so ago it was unable to berth because a case of smallpox was reported on board. A medical examination showed this to be incorrect, however, and the liner berthed several hours late, but not before most of the passengers had been vaccinated as a precaution against infection. “We were very impressed with Milford Sound when we called on the voyage from Melbourne,” Mr Ormandy remarked. “The other South Africans on board the ship were especially delighted because the New Zealand scenery is entirely new to them. The Transvaal is very barren. Even the grass is dead in some months of the year. The climate is most agreeable, however, and our winter is comparable with New Zealand’s summer.”