SWEDEN AND THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1630, 28 October 1916, Page 4

SWEDEN AND THE WAR.

A CONSUL’S IMPRESSIONS. “Thu .British are absolutely crazy over Ihe Australians, They think they are wonderful, particularly since the Big' Bush eonnnenml in France, and they can't do enough for them,” This statement was made last week by Mr J. D. Waorn, Swedish Consul at Melbourne, who has just returned, after a six months’ tour of Sweden and Great Britain.

Mr Warren went away on a business trip to Sweden, hut he journeyed to Great Britain to see Ins son, who is with the Australian Forces. He said that Great Britain was wonderful —an absolute eyeopener. Nobody could conceive what was being done to win the war. It was one mass of soldiers from end to end. Uniformed men were (o be seen in thousands everywhere. It was just a huge armed cam}), and the people were not only making munitions for their own soldiers, but for all the Allies. One munition factory he went over was three miles long. The majority of the Swedish people were distinctly pro-Ally. There were a few, like Sven Hedin, the author ,who were making a noise and creating the impression that the

nation favoured Germany. But there was no doubt (hat the whole of the working and middle classes wanted the Allies to win. The conditions in Sweden were had, as supplies had been cut short. Imports had fallen off 50 per cent. Tlu* Government was strictly neutral, and all trading was done by license. The people were actually suffering on account of the shortage. Sugar and some other commodities .were very short, and the people had to get tickets in order to secure small quantities. Nevertheless, the predominating feeling was in favour of the Allies. As a result of Mr Waern’s visit to Sweden, Aga automatic lights, which are used in the lighthouses mi the Australian coast, will in fnlnve he manufactured in Australia. 'flic raw material will be imported from Sweden, and will he made up in Australia.