The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1947. EFFORTS TO SHAPE THE NEW GERMANY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 27 May 1947, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1947. EFFORTS TO SHAPE THE NEW GERMANY

TN T announcing that a vei'y important statement on Germany moult! be made today and that a new era was opening for the British and United States zones, Lord Pakenhani, the resident British Minister, said there was great friendliness in Britain towards the Germans, especially those of the younger generation. He appealed to the Germans to realise that war was criminal and to wipe out the memory of it. With the spirit of these words everyone should agree. It is strange, however, that Lord Pakenhani should ha\e expressed a special friendship towards the younger generation. Usually such sentiments are reserved for the older people otliei than tiie Prussian militarists—and certainly not for those youthful enough to have become infected with the thuggery taught by Hitler. One can only conclude that Britain, with her customaiy magnanimity, is adopting in some measure the principles of kindness and humanity to lead the misguided youth of the country mto the paths of rectitude. . . Maybe the policy is part of the denazification campaign ana will pay a handsome dividend in the long run. Provided the necessary safeguards are taken to ensure that the British attitude is not. interpreted as a sign of weakness or softness, it is no doubt worth trving. It is hard to know what the Germans are thinking. Perhaps Lord Pakenhani believes that an encouraging proportion of them strongly desire to he part of the peaceful family of nations This section may hold sway over those who feel they have nothing better to do than conspire against the victors in the war. onie hope for the nation lies in the thought that the people have had, for the first time in their history, war in its most terrible form all over their own land. . _ , „ ... When lie visited Germany earlier in the year Lord be\eiiclge formed the opinion that, although much of the misery in the country today was inevitable and in some respects a fitting punishment for aggression, the conquerors could not get any permanent good out oi coming through the war on the winning side unless they took steps to ensure that Germany was restored to health, economically and psychologically. He said that everywhere lie went he was met with entreaties from the young to he allowed to make contact with young people of other nations. Everywhere, from young and old, came expressions of intellectual hunger for books, and papers from abroad And everywhere he was asked with a wistful hopefulness about Mr. Churchill’s speech at Zurich in which he proposed a United States of Europe. What were the prospects of getting this scheme adopted? It seemed the one positive hope that had come their way. It is* ,1 big- subject and, remembering the mistakes of the past, Britain and her allies must tread warily. At the moment only one thing is quite certain. The lead given by Britain and America m striving for economic fusion should he emulated by all four occupying Powers. Actually the future of Germany and her economic health, which could influence many other countries, is one oi the key problems of the world.