MODERN GERMANY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 17, 4 February 1937, Page 13

MODERN GERMANY

Youth Movements, Military Preparaiioiis EFFICIENT COUNTRY Germany, witli her youth movemonts, her fine old buildings, her military preparatious and her exceptional tourist facilities, was described to the Napier Rotary Olub at its weekly meeting yesterday by Mr H. M. Bennett, oi Napier, who returned at the end of last year from a tour of the Continent and the Near Eastern countries. 1 1 Germany 'a work is a very important .natter, and in the Press of Great Britain thera ara many confiicting reports," said Mr Bennett. " Germany has aiways been looked upon as a very up-to-date and efficient country. She is; .jhe's proud and arrogant. "Her restHctiona following the freaty pf Versaxlles were such that she eoulij npt develop, ' ' he added. "The 3riton is aiways welcome in Gernaany, (tnd traVpliing facilities are very good ihere. In London there is a bureau whic'h will give you all inf'ormatio]] jpou travel in Germany.' * The train ' serviee .was excellent in regard to speed and comfort, while nleaniinees was a household word in Germany. Mr Bennetts party had de oided upon a Bbine jirip. Many sueii ♦rips were available on express boats and slower ones, stopping'at many o fche floating piers be-side the banks. The iransport on the river was wonderful, all the boats being spotiessly clean m gay paints, while many of the boats nad flower-pots on the side, Hiking and cyciing parties were arranged .from thc boats. "The physique of the youth of Germany to-day is wonderful," contiuued Mr Bennett. "Hitler demands that all the youths between 1T and 21 shalJ spend at least two years in a health camp, They do all sorts of work— djgging, farming, labouring on engineering works, meeting the country people and exchanging ideas with them. Tho cuost important aspect, however, is the ekect that the two years so spent have on the physique of the youth. I don't care if Hitier is traiuing them to be eoldiers — it ia a wonderful idea, and' 3 admire it." There was no doubt, he added, that in the Rhine valley there was great military activity. All day was heard the Spund of marching feet and singing troops. Wonderful xoads had been constructed from Erankfort clear down to the Erench border level, wide xoadg that carried &n immense amount of traffic. A huge. spectacle-making factory that he visited was unique, said Mr Bennett The factory had musie, entertainments, wireless and baths in adclition to the most up-to-date optical machinery. Germany supplied the whole of Europe with precision pptieal instruments. One such factory had been given as a gift to the workers, whp now shared it. '^Germany does everything thoroughly,*' was Mr Bennett 's commqnt on thq Olympic Games. The Olympic Village, fashioned of ferro-concrete, was on a ; gigantic scale, with huge forest trees transplanted in the depth of winter Rf.llrfrfinor i.lia crrnmi^a fnmA

being more than 70 years old. At the conclusion of the address Mr Bennett was acporded a vote of thankg by the mexnbers.