CLOUD OF DEPRESSION

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 8

CLOUD OF DEPRESSION

CONDITIONS IN GERMANY. CLERGYMAN’S OBSERVATIONS. PIN-PRICKING AND WORRY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Observations relating to conditions in Germany and the schism in the Church in that country, were made by Pastor J. P. C. Legaard, of the Danish Lutheran Church, at Brisbane, who is new on his way to Australia after a lengthy visit to Europe. In an interview during his visit here Pastor Legaard said: “I felt I could not breathe freely in Germany, and I was greatly relieved when I went over the border into Denmark or France. After three visits, each of a week’s duration, my personal opinion—though it may be wrong—is that there la an atmosphere of nervousness and a cloud of depression—not financial —hanging over everything.” Regarding the Lutheran Church Mr Legaard said Herr Hitler had sought to use the Church for his own ends, and his followers broke away to establish the Reich Church. Those who resisted Hitler and refused to throw in their lot, had remained staunch adherents to the confessional or true Lutheran Church, but they were being sadly oppressed. Propaganda work was proceeding on an extensive scale. The Hitlerites came to the doors to sell tickets for certain objects. Refusal meant that one’s name and address were taken by what was really a spy organisation. The householder was reported to the authorities and placed on a black list. German national polioy was carried to extremes in the border districts, the need for propaganda being far greater there than in Berlin itself. The cost of living was very high and militarism was to be seen everywhere. The opinion was expressed by Mr Legaard, that despite Germany’s military spirit, there was not an immediate danger of conflict, but her policy was> causing a lot of worry and pln-prioking on her borders. Though there was little danger of war at present, he would not be surprised If the situation changed greatly within two years. The Polish Corridor question was a constant source of irritation. Hitler’s palace was heavily guarded.