NAZI MENACE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 112, 21 November 1938, Page 4

NAZI MENACE

EUROPE THREATENED CLEVER PROPAGANDA LITTLE HOPE FOR PEACE N.Z. SCHOLAR’S VIEWS Little hope for peace in the world is held hy Dr. A. H. McLintock, a graduate of Otago University College, who returned a few days ago after a twci and a-half years’ course at London University. Graduating at Otago with first-class honours in 1927, Dr. McLintock was on the staff of the Timaru Technical College for seven years before leaving for London.' While in London he undertook research in colonial history and obtained his doctorate of philosophy.

Having travelled in Ozechslovakia, Austria and Rumania prior to the recent European crisis, Dr. AlcLintock was able to give authoritative opinion as to the attitude of tile people m central Europe at the time. In Austria the. people seemed to know little of what was happening in the outside world. The same applied to Germany, where the people tolerated an iron regime because they did not know any better. All they knew was what they learned from clover propaganda. Race Superiority. The results of the Nazi propaganda on a colossal scale and the race superiority doctrine were not conducive to world peace, said Dr. McLintock. Ger 7 many is stilC bringing up the question of colonies and Germans speak of Britain being able to obtain food and materials from her colonies. 'They appeared to be-unaware of the fact that Britain bought those eomomdities in an open market, and many Germans he had spoken to did not seem to realise that wool, for instance, was bought in an open market in New Zealand.

“They simply sneer at democracy and are firmly convinced iti has failed,” be added. “They are also convinced that Britain will have to become totalitarian to avoid disaster. They are certain that the British Empire will -break up at the first conflict. “They believe that to'he a German is to be the highest tiling any. human being can be. The effects of propaganda are remarkable and they have even sent teachers from Berlin to teach Nazi songs to the teachers in Austria.

“Hitler Supreme Man”. “As tar n.s the international situation is concerned 1 come hack very depressed,” added Dr. McLintock. “Though avo have peace it is only a temporary one-;! am convinced that- if Germany were certain she was ready there would be Avar. The result of the recent crisis is a calamity to British prestige oil the Continent, 1 am sorry to say. Hitler is hoav regarded by his people as a demi-god, as he gets Avhat lie wants. They believe lie lias the Avhip hand over Britain, and even a certain section of the Czechoslovakians are touched by the magic power of Hitler.”

The result of the repeated success of Hitler Avas a strengthening of Nazi power in central Europe, added Dr. McLintock. There would be a natural tendency to look to Germany in some parts of Czechoslovakia and in Hungary. The Avliole of middle Europe Avas being undermined by Nazi propaganda and Hitler Avas the centre of it all. He Avas the supreme man. Dr. McLintock’s plans for the future are not definite and he' is not sure if lie will remain in the Dominion. Ho Avill travel to Dunedin to join his Avifc there.