A SPLENDID SPIRIT

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 112, 21 November 1938, Page 3

A SPLENDID SPIRIT

LONDON IN CRISIS NEWS ON SI U I’HOARD DISHORN E -MAN'S RIdU R N Reference lu a splendid spirit prevailing in England during the early days of the recent ' European crisis was made by .Mr. J. C. N. Thomas in an interview on Friday. Mr- Thomas, with .Mis. Thomas and their daughter, returned last week from a visit to England, and during the latter stages of their stay the crisis was developing. .Mr. Thomas said that the public oi Englandi seemed even less cencorned regarding the developments than the people in New Zealand apparently did. Everyone realised only too well tin' seriiHis position England. mid particularly London, wouid lie in in the event ot a major European conflict. hut a cheerful attitude prevailed throughout. They were on the I’lteilic win n developments came to a head and alien it seemed that a clash involving Hi :- tain seemed unavoidable. 1 lie news was eagerly awaited each day, but there was no sign ol panic, and the passengers spoke light-heartedly on the prospects of. being held up by a possible enemy raider. 'The passengers Were warned that in the event ol an outbreak of war the ship might have to proceed at night without lights, hut this did not disturb the ordinary routine of entertainment associated with ship life.

Air. Thomas proceeded to England via Canada, and spokV of the splendid service rendered passengers throughout every single stage ol the journey. In England he met .Mr. \Y. Harrington on several occasions. After visiting several parts of the country, .Mr. Thomas returned to London at the end of the season, and travelled to New Zealand via Panama. Although enjoying every minute ol the holiday, including the life on shiphoard, he returned to the Dominion with the feeling that, after all, there were few places to compare with New Zealand.