BRITAIN'S CONFIDENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 83, 3 November 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN'S CONFIDENCE

OUTCOME OF THE WAR

VIEWS IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHAKATANE RESIDENT RETURNS The confidence existing in Britain, the attitude of some of the neutral countries, conditions in J Germany, and stories of their experiences on the homeward voyage, were told by Mr and Mrs John Pearson, of Clifton Street, Whakatane, in an interview with the BEACON on Wednesday. Mr and Mrs Pearson returned to Whakatane on Tuesday evening after landing at Auckland from the Mariposa on Monday. In the course of their ten-month tour of the world they noticed many things which are of importance today, notably the absolute confidence and determination of the people in Britain and the unity of the German people. The American attitude towards the war, as far as the general public is concerned is summed up in

the phrase one of them used in discussing it with Mr Pearson: "We must keep out at any cost." Through the Suez. By way of Australia, Mr and Mrs Pearson travelled, through the Suez Canal and staying for a fortnight in Ceylon. "We were struck by the implicit faith the natives of the dependencies have in llie Mother Country," said Mr Pearson. "They share the confidence of the British Army officers and other officials stationed there." Proceeding through Italy, they gathered the impression that the average Italian was more than favourably disposed towards the Allies and more than once expressions of hatred of Germany were heard. "The French people," said Mr Pearson, "appeared to be living under a strain, not knowing what Hitler proposed to do, and the actual outbreak

if hostilities brought a certain rcief because they at last had a deinite line to take."

From France the travellers crossed to England and spent four months in touring there and in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The chief impressions they gained in Britain were of the unshaken conviction in victory, the loyalty of Ulstermen, and the agricultural and mineral resources. The latter denoted a wealth which could not be assessed in terms of money. Scotland,., contrary to popu lar belief, has large areas under cultivation and England is using every available acre.

Stay in Germany.

Mr and Mrs Pearson spent a month in Germany and had ample opportunity of gauging the feelings of the German peopie. Though they were very friendly towards travellers, they regarded the British race as a whole

with suspicion

There was a scarcity of good food and white bread was procurable only on request at the hotels, when, for the purpose of propaganda, no doubt, it was stated enthusiastically that, •'There is plenty, plenty." The bread usually served was of a dirty brown colour and this was probably due to

a fairly heavy proportion of potato. At that time there seemed to be no shortage of clothing; in fact the people., and especially the men, were well dressed.

Generally there appeared to be a low standard of living hut this did not detract from the German people's loyalty to the Nazi regime and to Herr Hitler in particular. They were convinced that their govern-

ment was pursuing a logical course and seemed, not to fear the prospect

of war. This feature was apparent

when in conversation with the more elderly folk who had gone through the Great War.

Idolisation of Hitler

It has frequently been stated that the esteem in which Hitler is held in Germany and the ready submission to his bidding is largely conlined to the younger people, from the cradle up to thirty, and that those above that age still reason with a free mind. Questioned regarding this, Mr Pearson emphasised that :t is a definite cult among Germans of all ages and all occupations, and that Hitler is held to be a demi-god even by intelligent business and professional men. They "Heil!" and salute on the slightest excuse. One instance is given by' Mr Pearson.

"We saw a middle-aged business* man enter a room, and with stiffly outstretched arm salute a large pic-

f Continued foot previous column)