VISITOR AMAZED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 10

VISITOR AMAZED

RECOVERY OF GERMANY Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 28. Many countries not usually visited by the New Zealander abroad were included in the itinerary of Mr. J. A. Peacock, of Auckland, who, with Mrs. Peacock, returned from an extended tour abroad by the Marama from Sydney. Their trip embraced the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Germany, Czecho Slovakia, Italy, Switzerland, India, Ceylon, Java, Burma and other places in the East. Dlr. Peacock represented the Auckland Rotary Club at the world conference at Ostend. Dlr. Peacock was greatly impressed with the recovery of Germany. after the war. He saw more luxury, more well-dressed people and fewer crippled soldiers and beggars there than in other European countries. “Germany was indeed a revelation,” he added. “Everybody seems to have work, and everyone works long hours. 1 am convinced the German people do not want any more wars.” The attitude of the great mass of the German people toward the Kaiser and imperialism was indicated by the fact that all evidence’s of his residence at the Royal Palace had been removed, save one. This was the oak table presented by the British Government to the Kaiser, and on which the declaration of war was signed. Otherwise, the Palace had been restored to the days when it was used by Frederick the Great. lhe German attitude toward the British tourist was quite friendly, the Germans being interested in money one might spend there. A notable post-war feature was that all kinds of sport were being encouraged, manv of the Germans proving very fine athletes. Apart from the physical benefits, he believed this feature would help to create greater understanding between Germane and other nations on the field of friendly battle. “Of all the countries which took part in the war we visited, Austria and Belgium seemed most down and out, continued Dlr. Peacock. “there was a verv bad state of affairs in Austria when'l was there, and it seems inevitable that much of the fertile land taken away from the nation after the war wifi have to be restored to it to enable the Austrians to carry on.” Dlr. Peacock was amazed at the constant talk of war during his tour through the Balkan States. Everywhere, he said, there were soldiers under arms, and all railwav stations were filled with soldiers. His impressions was that the Balkan States were prepared to march into battle at a minute’s notice.