CENTRAL EUROPEAN IMPRESSIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 16

CENTRAL EUROPEAN IMPRESSIONS

Young Germans Said To

Favour War

AUSTRIA “THE SADDEST PLACE

IN THE WORLD”

[THE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, September 30. The industrial progress and territorial aims of Germany, the patriotic fervour of the Czechs, the discontent of Hungary, and the development of Austria under Nazi rule among European impressions gained by Mr W. G. Kett, president of the Australasian Optometrical Association, who passed thiough Auckland by the Mariposa on his return to Sydney after attending conferences in Florence and Rome. Through missions he was fulfilling in Europe, Mr Kett had an opportunity of gaming an insight into conditions in Continental countries. In addition to investigating modern developments in optical science Mr Kett examined European methods of technical education on behalf of the New South Wales authorities. ~ , , His previous visit to Germany, he said, had been shortly before the outbreak of the Great War and he was now impressed by the improved methods of internal management. “The quality of German food is gradually improving, but 60 per cent: of the clothing still'contains wood fibre,” he said. “It is regrettable, but none the less true, that the younger generation of Germans is all for war; but this opinion is by no means shared by other people. However, the latter are not in a position to express their views, and as a result they carry little weight. There is, moreover, a censorship of the press which is as rigid as the restriction in Russia/' * . In many of the industries, particularly those concerned with the manufacture of munitions, factories were working three shifts a day. Commercially, Germany was concentrating on the Balkans, and there were some manufactured articles which it was imj*)ssible to purchase in Germany because the demand of the Balkan countries for them was so great. A tremendous civic reorganisation was also taking place in Berlin and other cities. The most discontented European nation today was Hungary, and her people were neverallowed to forget the loss of territory brought about by the Treaty of Versailles. A visitor was conscious of the country’s intention to recover her lost possessions. Visiting Vienna shortly after the German occupation, Mr Kett found it the saddest place in the world. However, there was abundant evidence of socialisation carried out in Austria to the benefit of the people by the present Government. Tremendous improvements had also taken place in Italy, but her . only outlet for national energy appeared to be m military undertakings. He added that the attempt to maintain an alliance between Italy and Germany appeared forced, particularly as the two peoples were racially unsuited and their close association was not natural.