Not What It Seems

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 66, 21 April 1944, Page 4

Not What It Seems

The Germans like to define, the Slovakia of to-day as the most convincing example of the "New Order." In fact, at first sight, Slovakia seems sheltered from the • storm., There are no ruins to shelter her picturesque cities. Restaurants offer tasty dishes without coupons, there, has not been such a tremendous rise in prices as elscAvhere, streets are illuminated at night. Very few German soldiers are seen on the streets, women do not seem to lack stockings , , men look Avell fed and happy. That is the first impression, but it does not conform to facts. Conditions in food supplies are far from being perfect, considering that this country was once known as "Europe's Granary." Most foodstuffs are. rationed except in restaurants, butter is rare, and so is meat. There is a severe shortage of raw materials. These food difficulties have been caused by German demands which deprive the country of an enormous amount of food without offering any adequate compensation. Prices have, also risen by about 50 per cent.