POLAND’S PART

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22189, 8 November 1943, Page 2

POLAND’S PART

RESISTANCE TO ENEMY CONSUL-GENERAL’S VIEWS The tremendous resistance by the Polish people against the German onslaught four years ago was outlined graphically in an address at the Hamilton Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon today by Count Wodzicki, Consul-General for Poland in New Zealand and formerly professor of animal physiology and animal breeding at the Warsaw University. He detailed the part taken in European affairs, and after discussing the terrible results of the German invasion, mentioned the problems of post-war settlement in which Polish claims would have to be recognised. Poland was a key state of Central, not Eastern, Eurooe, said the speaker, and was still the strongest bulwark of resistance against German domination. When Poland was forced to say “No” to Hitler and to •the Germans it was obvious that by so doing she was condemning her people to unspeakable suffering and death. Her central position was even more significant in these air-minded days. With a population of 35,000,000 Poland ranked eleventh among the nations of the world and sixth of those of Europe. Industrial Progress

Notwithstanding the many difficulties confronting her Poland had made industrial progress that was far from negligible in the years before the war. However, the peasant farmer was the backbone of the country. In 1918 she did not possess one ship but in 1939 she had 500 merchant and passenger vessels. Twenty-three thousand new schools were opened in Poland between 1919 and 1937. It was the first country in Central Europe to inaugurate the eight-hour working day. Count Wodzicki stressed the part being played by Poles who had joined the forces of the Allies after the country had been overrun by the Germans. He mentioned the deeds of the Polish airmen in the Battle of Britain.

Speaking of the future Count Wodzicki said that while making no claim for revenge Poland would demand full justice and reparation for the crimes perpetrated and the wrongs done. Count Wodzicki referred to the possibilities of Polish-Soviet relations. Following the German attack on Russia, Poland soon stretched a hand to the Soviet with the proposal to pull together mutually against the common enemy, he said. Poland desired a full and equitable understanding with Russia on the basis of complete loyalty and the recognition of mutual rights and independence. Poland expected that on humanitarian grounds as many Polish citizens as possible would be able to leave Russia.