MODERN GERMANY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 48, 25 January 1938, Page 8

MODERN GERMANY

APPEARANCE OF PROSPERITY: EVERYONE EMPLOYED. WELLINGTON, Jap. 25. ‘‘Germany has a remarkable appearance of prosperity,” said Professor T. Easterfield, formerly director of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, on his return yesterday after nine months abroad. Professor Easterfield spent most of his time at Cambridge University, where he was engaged on chemical problems indirectly connected with agriculture- Ho found time, however, for a visit to Europe and also spent a holiday in Cornwall. Everyone in Germany -was employed, he said, because it was a crime to be otherwise. Intensive cultivation of tho land and big development work in tho way of roads, canals, and so on provided work for all, industries were thriving, and money was freely spent. How cieep were the foundations of prosperity it was impossible to say. The internal price level, compared with Britain’s, was low and a low rate of exchange encouraged visitors to spend freely, provided this was not used as an excuse for buying in German goods which would normally he bought in the visitor’s own country. On the political situation in Germany, Professor Easterfield said he did not feel competent to express an opinion, but he could bear witness to the universal respect and admiration for Herr Hitler. It struck him as a feeling somewhat different from that entertained toward the former Emperor. There was little doubt that Herr Hitler was regarded by most Germans as the saviour of the country. Professor Easterfield spoke of the growth of Cambridge University since the close of last century as exemplified by the increase in the number of undergraduates from 2000 to 6000. As a former lecturer in the Agricultural School, he was specially interested in its growth from a single building 300 feet in length, where the students once numbered only 12. The school was now twice the length and two large wings had been added. So great was the number of students at tlie present time that it was doubtful whether they could all be absorbed, though in the field of animal husbandry, where stock diseases needed intensive investigation, there was plenty of work for experts.