News Behind the Headlines

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 263, 24 November 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

News Behind the Headlines

. . . INCOME TAX Income tax is one of the unpleasant consequences of war. Last week we reported the staggering load on the British taxpayer of 7/6 in the £. Income tax was first introduced in 1798 by William Pitt “ as an aid to the prosecution of war.” It amounted to 2/- in the £ on incomes of £2OO a year and upwards. It was graduated down to incomes of £6O a year, which were exempt. It remained at 2/- throughout the Napoleonic wars, but in 1816, the . year after Waterloo, income tax was abolished. In 1842 income tax was again introduced by Sir Robert Peel at the rate'of 7d. in the £ on incomes over £l5O. In 1354, at the outbreak of the Crimean War, it was doubled, but when peace was proclaimed in 1856 it was not abolished, as had been done after Waterloo. However, it dropped to sd. in 1858. The Abyssinian War of 1867 again sent the tax up, though only by 1d.., and by 1874 it had fallen to the low level of 2d.— the lowest it was to reach. At the beginning of 1900 it stood at 1/-. Thenceforward it has risen, as all our readers know. In 1919 it touched 6/-, but by 1926 was down to 4/-, at which it remained until 1930. Between 1930 and 1934 it rose to 5/-, but was briefly reduced to 4/6 in 1936. Last month it hit an all time high of 7/6. No doubt the sad plight of those in Britain will be some consolation to grumblers here. . . . MAJESTIC Missed in the news last month by many papers was the loss by fire on September 29 of the 56,599 ton liner “ Majestic.” Built as the “ Bismarck ” in 1913, she was the world’s largest ship, and after her capture by the Allies was re-named “ Mauretania.”' She was still the largest ship afloat in 1936, when she was displaced by the “Queen Mary, and was sold to the Admiralty as a troop carrier and training ship. She was being fitted out in the Teed when she caught fire and was destroyed. . . . RATIONS To mm v Atkins’ rations foi World War TT. arc: Per Day. Bread 16 oz. Margarine, or Butter Hoz. Jam . \ oz* Potatoes .... •••• 1“ oz - Other Vegetables .... ° oz. Cheese .... ■••• „ 1 oz - Herrings (Tinned) .... s-7ths oz. Salmon •••• 3-7ths oz. Milk f oz. Sugar M° z - Tea ■••• •••• •••• ; * oz ‘ Flour 15 oz ' Rice or Oatmeal .... 3-7ths oz. Curry Powder •••• oz - Salt ’ -' O/ - Mustard •••■ 1 -100th oz. Pepper •••• 1-100th oz. Per Week. Tobacco •••■ 2 oz. 3 Times per Week. Cocoa •••• •••■ •••• ] P> nt Rum \ P'.'l 1 Tea •••• 1 K' ll . . . GERMAN CITIZEN The Hon. Unity Valkyrie Frcc-man-Milford. sister of Lady Moseley, wife of British Fascist, Sir Oswald, and intimate friend of Hitler, was in Munich when war was declared, and promptly became a German citizen. Last week Unity contracted double pneumonia. In England, where feeling against pro-Germans is steadilv rising, her father, Lord Redesdale, one of Hitler’s many friends among the British peerage, was quoted in the press as saying, “ I am a very sad man. . . . COPPER CROWN Prince Alexander Hohenlohe, 21, step-son of the unpopular princess, whose dealings with Lord Rothermere are now being aired in the press, married Peggy Schulze, 18, daughter of Mrs. Biddle (wife of U.S. Ambassador to Poland) by a previous marriage. Peggy will inherit her mother’s £25,000,000 copper for-. ... B i R GAiW } _ T Archduke Otto, 26, of Hapsburg, Pretender to the throne of Austria (also figuring in the Rothermere trial), sent his brother, the Archduke Robert, 24, V with an offer to recruit a full division (20,000) of Austrian refugees to fight for the Allies

if they would make the “ restoration of Austria as an independent state under the Hapsburgs ” on« of their war aims. Already in France with a similar proposal •.was Prince von Starhemberg, another blue-blooded grafter, who played ball with Hitler and Mussolini,-and maintained a private army in the old Chinese and Manchurian style. Last of Europe’s War Lords, the Prince fell out with the House Painter, who confiscated 13 of the latter’s castles. . . . REFUGEES Living quietly incognito in Wales is Frau Dolfuss, widow of the “ Little Chancellor of Austria,” who was assassinated by Nazis in an abortive attempt to seize power in 1936. Other refugees are Wanda and Jagoda Pilsudski, daughters of the Polish emancipator, who are being shown around the highlights of Mayfair by socialite Madame Moscicki, daughter-in-law of Poland’s late President. . . .BALKAN SHUFFLE As the advance guard of 21,000 Red soldiers and 400 tanks occupied Estonia to “ protect her against ‘ imperialist adventurers,’ the * imperialist adventurer/ clad in his special gray uniform, called home 60,000 Balts (as the Germans are known in the Baltic. As a retreating army sows mines in its wake the retreating Balts sowed propaganda lies. The Lithuanians, Estonians and Latvians were too familiar with both German and Russian technique to be fooled, but the Finnish leaders found it expedient to play with some German propaganda. The lesson of Poland, apparently, does not mean anything to the Finns. . . . RADIO HOAX The Berlin radio station usually starts broadcasting at 6 a.m. One day last month it announced curtly that on the morrow it would not commence until 12.30 p.m. This shut down was promptly seized upon by the “ Freedom Station,” a portable radio transmitter run by daring anti-Nazis, who, at the risk of their lives, keep one jump ahead of the Gestapo. With supreme audacity this station announced that the Allies had just agreed to an 18-day Armistice. That the Chamberlain-Churchill Cabinet had resigned, that George VI. had abdicated, and that sympathetic Duke of Windsor was back on the throne of Britain. Few Berliners heard the broadcast, but in an hour it was common knowledge all over the town. The people went mad with joy, got drunk in the streets, threw away ration cards, and laughed at Nazi regulations. Last to hear of it were the Nazi leaders. Finally Foreign Minister Ribbentrop rushed to the Fuehrer. It was then 12.30. The Chancellory immediately broadcast an abusive denial. But the incident revealed the unstability of the German people. . . . OSWALD THE RABBIT Many people have wondered what has become of British Nazi, Sir Oswald Moseley. In the Germany he seeks to imitate Sir Oswald would long since have been in a concentration camp, if not beheaded. But last week he was tub-thumping to a faintly amused audience on the lines that the present war was not Britain’s business. His followers bore placards reading, “ MIND BRITAIN’S OWN BUSINESS.” Meanwhile Sir Oswald’s business, sponsored by woulcl-be-Napolcon, Lord Rothermere, was picking up. His paper, “ Action,” was no more censored than the “ Times.” Nothing speaks better for British freedom than the continued existence of Sir Oswald, the Nazi rabbit.

diverging objects of allegiance have been the changes and intrigue as rivals schemed for control at Headquarters. After Lenin’s death numerous cross currents entered the political stream. Each eddy sent supporters who habitually must walk a tightrope into a wobble. For years the Trotsky-Stalin struggle has resulted in changes of front, murders, purges. Most embarrassing change of front to foreign Communists was Stalin’s cynical alliance with Germany. Under the circumstances it was the obvious thing for him to do, but for years his followers abroad had been fighting Fascism, and Hitler was their bete noire. Stalin’s quick tack put all his team off-side. In America ex-Communist Walter Kravitsky, whose articles in the “ Saturday Evening Post” had caused a national sensation, was on trial before the Dies Committee. Kravitsky, one time European master spy of the 0.G.P.U., predicted the RussoGerman alliance, was loudly booed by American Communists. In a 5-hour speech Kravitsky exposed Soviet espionage in Europe and the U.S.A. Among the revelations made were that United States Communists received money from Stalin, and controlled many Labour unions. In England, Communist Party Secretary, Harry Pollit, one of the ablest propagandists in Britain, was frankly embarrassed. Unable to predict the Kremlin’s policy he blundered by committing British Communists to supporting a war to death against German Fascism, and was forced to resign. Willie Gallagher, only Communist M.P., re-estab-lished the pipe line to Moscow, and, dropping the old anti-Hitler line, began calling for peace. Instead of wild conjectures about Avhat the party was doing in Moscow, readers of the “ Daily Worker ” received the old, official Commitern “ dope.” In France, where to-day many of the leaders are more daring than their British counterparts, the Communist Party has been driven underground. Last week the “ Red Hunt ” was still in swing. The Government of the Third Republic, which endorsed the three ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, was showing Communists little of any. Of the 72 former Communist Deputies most were in prison; a few had fled. . . . ATLAS MUSSOLINI Reports from Italy last week show that the only activity seems to be in the minor organs of the Fascist Press. _ Mussolini himself is playing political chess with the King and the Crown Prince. On his home front the Royal Family are looming as a grave menace. The ageing Duce is losing his grip on the imagination of the fickle public and more and more Prince Umberto, and not son-in-law, Ciano, is taking his place. In the Fascist party itself there is the makings of a split over which side Italy should back, Hitler or the Allies. The Hi tier-Stalin teamwork in Poland has transformed many erstwhile Britain-baiters such as Fascist Party Secretary, Archille Starace, to the Allied side. In this indecision others are drifting towards the Royal Family. “II Corricre Padano,” Balbo’s paper, came out with an abusive attack on Russia and Communism. Mussolini’s paper, alone, said nothing. The one-page-sheet, “ News From Rome,” for which about three million readers are claimed, exhorted “ Don’t whimper if you lack coffee. Don’t hoard anything, especially food. Leave your money in the bank and leave news from foreign sources to II Duce. Politics is not your business. Let Him —at Rome—talk about it. He is enough for all.

. . . RUSSIA There is a sharp division of opinion in the British Cabinet as to what course should be followed with Russia. The realisation that Russia cannot be forced out of Poland and the other Baltic States naturally modifies any plans for the re-establishment of Poland after an Allied victory. When Finland capitulates Russian influence will predominate in Scandinavia, the traditional satellites of Britain. With Russia stretching from the North Sea to the Pacific, British domination of the continent of Europe will be a phase of Ihe past. A defeated Germany in which socialistic elements repressed by Naziism, would be an easy prey to Soviet idealogy. A Red .Germany would be a provocative example to British masses. After all, the British Government, could not shut its official eye to Russian influence if it extended to just across the North Sea. Faced by the realisation that the only gains made in this war will be Russia’s, the British Cabinet are undecided how to combat Russia. The Chamberlain-Hoare-Simon group have been trying to use Finland as a lure to bring the United States, Sweden and Norway into an anti-Red bloc. This policy has been discouraged by the realistic French, who have not lost sight of the possibility of bringing Russia into an active alliance against Germany. An alternative is to link Finla*nd and the rest of Scandinavia in a semi-political union with Britain. Readers will recall Clarence Streit’s plan, published under the title of “Union Now.” Lord Lothian, the British Ambassador to the United States, is known for his cautious reflection of Mr. Chamberlain’s policy. For the last month Lord Lothian has been an enthusiastic supporter of “Union Now.” It is rumoured that there is a move to send Ernest Bevin, British Trade Union boss, to America, on a mission along these lines. . . . HOW SMART ARE YOU? In a recent issue we had a questionnaire about some of the leading men in the world of finance and industry. I-lere are some more. Flow many do you know? From the following list, can you remember-what industry each name is associated with? Lord Glentanar. Lord Iveagh. Lord Camrose. Lord Wakefield. Lord Flambledon.

ssts outside their own districts, and knew nothing of the world at large. To-day your newspaper, wireless and the cinema bring the world to your door step. Every minute ot the day you are dependent on the products or labours of people living thousands of miles away. You fertilise your farm with phosphates from Nauru Island, nitrates from Chile; you use pepper from Zanzibar, copper from America, salmon from Canada, silk from Japan. Even as late as 1900 it was a matter of indifference to you whether Japan was ruled by the Mikado or a Communist Dictator. To-day such remote facts as a change of Government in Japan, a murder in Germany, or a heat wave in the United States may effect your whole life. This is no exaggeration. A desperate military Government in Japan might require foreign exchange and flood the world with subsidised exports, or it might buy up our wool crop, or seize Samoa. Any or all of these things are possible. Now, there may be readers who have a deep hatred for Japan and everything Japanese. The word Japan may be taboo in their homes. Only a last resort to express their contempt and hatred of a neighbour, our reader may shout, “You Jap!” and to him those words will have a passionate meaning. Our worthy friend may have never been to Japan, or had much to do with the Japanese, but he hates them with such bitterness that he can see nothing good in them. To him all Japanese are bad. To suggest that there are generous, wise, noble, or charming Japanese is to utter a heresy, and at once be suspected of being a Japanese spy, or else of having the tainted blood of Japan in your veins. Such people will only read about Japan if they are sure the book or article has nothing good to say about the Japanese. These people do not seek news, but only tid-bits that will confirm their prejudice. In any community there arc many such people, and almost as many taboos. Vivisection, prohibition, spiritualism, various religions, communism, socialism, capitalism, fascism, women’s rights, republicanism, sex, freemasonry and calendar reform. There is no subject which is not a taboo to somebody. The function of a newspaper is a most important one. It is to seek out from all the world facts that interest or affect readers, and to present them in the simplest and most truthful manner. The newspaper merely reports the facts, you, the reader, form the opinion. Unfortunately the truth is not always pleasant. The more rigid are our convictions, the more unpleasant will we find truths which do not fit in with our pet theories. Hitler hates Mr. Churchill because he boldly utters truths which do not agree with Hitler’s ideas of Aryan superiority. The commonest mistake of this nature is the failure to admit that life is what it is. No one is perfect, no country all good, or all bad. Our own country has its imperfections just as it has its good points. Were the press to discriminate between our own country and other countries it would be distorting the truth. Thus an indignant reader of the “ News Chronicle,” London, wrote to the editor: — “Twice in your leading article there occur the words “ British cowardice.” One wonders what was the nationality of the man who wrote it, as the combination of these words, together, is unknown in the English language, or in the tongue of any country in the world. In the present delicate situation in Europe would not the words, “ British Diplomacy ” be more appropriate. “ A Britisher and proud of it!” Nobody can read this outburst without a smile. We all know that British history has its share of heroes. We are justly proud of the bravery of our men at Zebrugge, our heroes of the V.C. But what reasonable person will deny that there are cowards in other country. If there is such a thing as British courage then its alternative British cowardice is equally true. By reporting an act of such cowardice the “ News Chronicle ” did not imply that all Britons were cowards, or even that most Britons are cowards, but merely that some Britons were cowards. The other columns of the paper were full of

Here arc five great inventors of modern times. With what products do you associate their names ? Dr. Chaim Wiseman. Dr. Backhand. I. W. Dunne. J. L. Baird. Alfred Nobel. Flere are five great thinkers of our day. With what branch of science do you associate their names ? Sir James Jeans. J. B. S. Haldane. Alexis Carrell. Sigmund Freud' Sir Leonard Wooley. I-lere are five popular authors. Can you remember the name of one book by each? James Joyce. Aldous Pluxley. George Bernard Shaw. Flervey Allen. Upton Sinclair. Here are five famous characters from fiction. Can you remember who created them and in what books they appeared? Eliza Dolittle. Tom Sawyer. Jean Valjean. Dr. Fu Manchu. Frankenstein.

And, lastly, here are five recent picture plays. Can yomremember their authors? Wuthering Heights. All Quiet on the Western Front. Four Feathers. South Riding. Charlie Chan in Honolulu. Answers next week. A hundred years ago, the newspaper in the sense we know it to-day, was unknown. Means of transport were so slow that neighbouring communities remained strangers. Few people could read, and still fewer understand, the contents of a modern newspaper. People had no inter-

. . . WOBBLE Just as in the past Mecca was the spiritual capital of all Moslems, and Rome of all Catholics, jVfoscow is the parliament of all by their Compatriots, (communists in all .lands have always shown the courage of all mission-?' aries. Bred from idealists and Utopians a vast world wide organisation has grown up within the racial bodies of all countries. The trials of all who serve two masters have tried Communists. Added to their

. . . THE CENSORSHIP At last the British Censorship Department has got into working order. Lord MacMillan and his staff are now sharpening their pencils their scissors. questions "asked so insistently'came too late to make news. There are' still, however, discrepancies, 'the new Ppme Minister of Rumania, for instance, is connected with big British oil interests. This significant fact was censored by those in charge of . overseas cables, but was passed for broadcasting by the 8.8. C.

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exploits of British courage and other noble qualities. In reporting news in this paper we have endeavoured to give readers the "unvarnished truth. We take no sides in politics, religion, or any controversy. The facts presented imply no more than they state. If we state that Mr. A. is a friend of Hitler it does not mean that his cheques would nqt be met, or that his relations with his typiste are im-

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