EMPTY STREETS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22554, 12 April 1943, Page 5

EMPTY STREETS

Norwegians Show

Defiance

Anniversary Of Nazi Occupation

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, April 9.

The Quisling police, specially armed by Terboven, Gauleiter of Norway, patrolled the empty streets of towns and villages as the fourth year of German occupation opened. A state of extreme emergency had been ordered throughout Norway, but the Norwegians repeated the tactics of 1941 and 1942, shutting themselves in their houses as a passive gesture of defiance.

The day passed quietly, but resentment against the occupation is still growing because the Germans are extending their control of the country’s economy, and 157 Norwegians have been executed and thousands thrown into concentration camps and prisons. “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says that on the third anniversary of the German invasion of Norway, Sweden made no secret of her sympathy for Norway. The Bishop of Stockholm spoke at a memorial service in Stockholm Cathedral for Norway’s dead. Those present included the Foreign Minister (Mr Christian Gunther) and . high officials representing the Swedish Navy, Army, and Air Force. Similar gatherings throughout Sweden included one attended by 9000 Norwegian refugees. Shining Example Newspaper editorials emphasised Norway’s shining example and Germany’s complete failure to impose her new order. Denmark’s newspapers, which hitherto have been forbidden to mention the anniversaries of the occupation, to-day freely mentioned the country’s defeat, recalling the recent general election as proof of the nation’s adherence to the democratic spirit. Many newspapers expressed sympathy for Norway’s fate. “The whole Norwegian people now comprise one united front,” said the Prime Minister of Norway (Mr Johan Nygaardsvold) broadcasting from London. He said that the Norwegian navy and air forces were now in active service and the Norwegian army was preparing to play an important part during the reconquest of Norway. Speaking of a possible invasion of Norway, he said that it was vital to organise Norway’s comparatively small forces so that they could be of the greatest possible use, and it was therefore particularly important to organise co-operation with Norway’s Allies in their advance.

As soon as Norway was free again, he said, the Government would ask the King leave to resign, and he hoped that thereafter a government of unity would be formed with the oroadest possible basis.