WHEN EUROPE FORGETS WAR

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 362, 17 February 1937, Page 2

WHEN EUROPE FORGETS WAR

ACTIVITIES OF PEACE THRIVE IN TROUBLED TIMES.

ADVANCE OF ADULT EDUCATION IN NORTHERN COUNTRIES.

With one desperate and bloody war in progress and the nations racing to outdo one another in power of armament, Europe’s energies might welt be expected to be devoted almost entirely to preparation for warfare. Observant and intelligent tourists* however, are able to tell of a different Europe, the countries of which are becoming ever wiser and more progressive in the promotion of the vjelfare) of their people. Even the fanatical politicians of Nazi Germany are capable of far-reaching policies which are in no way concerned with the belligerent foreign politics of their country.

Miss Mary McLean, Christchurch, during 11 months touring in Europe and Great Britain, became impressed with thfe great advance in adult education that is taking place in the northern countries of Europe, hand in hand with the development of the youth movement and the growth of physical education in Scandinavia and Germany. In an interview', published below by courtesy of the. ‘‘Christchurch Press,” som6 of her impression are given.

Sweden’s Prosperity,

Sweden Miss McLean found to be a prosperous country. Efforts are made there to keep most of the population in the country, and she was told that, in consequence, the coun try, even in the depth of the depression, had never more than 60,000 unemployed. Women play an activ° part in the civic life of Sweden, and on the town council in Stockholm ' there are 11 women members. Great importance is attached to physical fitness, and the value of fresh air and sunshine is fully appreciated. Tramping and bicycling are popular and organised for young people is arranged out of doors, where on large parks and-re-serves crov.ds enjoy dancing, rowing, games, and side-shows. All classes of the community share the benefit of educational gymnastics, which are part of the daily life of the Swedes, whose beautiful fair hair and good complexions won Miss McLean’s admiration. She visited the Avedsen Echool of massage and gymnastics, and at the famous Ling clinic, where women teachers are trained in educational gymnastics, she saw the students present the programme xhieh they were to give a few days later before the Princess Royal, who annually visits the clinic, and who, in common with the other members of the Royal family, is a keen advocate of physical fitness. But notwithstanding the measures taken to promote and maintain the health of the nation, an epidemic of infantit * faralyais recently broke out in Stockholm and at the Red Cross Orthopaedic Hospital, Miss McLean saw many victims of the disease receiv-' ing treatment.

Canal Journey.

On her journey down the picturesou- canal Miss McLean visited the Conv nt of Vadstena, where exquisite lace is made by the Sisters. In conversation with one of

the Sisters, Mils McLean remarked that Chinese lace could he bought much more cheaply in Net' 1 Zealand than in Sweden. “And it could be sold much more cheaply here too.” answered the nun, “but the spirit of our country Is to maintain our present standard of living, and for this rrason it is not permitted that imported lace should undersell the locally-made article.” New Zealand Butter. "You come from New Zealand? That is where that good butter comes from; it is so wholesome and it is so cheap, though it comes so far.” This was the remark of a Norwegian doctor whom Miss McLean met on his way back to Norway. He was an eye specialist and he had been continuing his studies in London. He said that the Danish people are sending practically all the butter they produce to the London markets and are not keeping sufficient milk, cream, and butter for their own needs, with the result that many of them were suffering from eye trouble caused by lack of milk products. To be a good citizen, to farm every inch of ground to the best advantage —that, Miss McLean learnt, was the ambition of many Danes. And they worked hard and systematically to achieve their ambition. International schools for adult , education were established on up-to-date lines and were largely attended. In these schools adults studied sociology, history, geography, farming—all subjects that will increase their knowledge and love of their country and help them to become useful, happy citizens.

At Elsinore, Miss McLean was interested in Kronborg castle, the scene of “Hamlet,” which is annually staged out of doors at the castle. In Elsinore, too, she had the unusual experience of being conducted by the light of a lantern through ancient dungeons where the torture chambers are now used for the growing of mushrooms for the epicures of London!

Sunshine and Snow.

Miss McLean, anxious to gain knowledge of sunlight treatment at first hand, visited Leysin, In Die Swiss Alps; where overlooking the Rhone valley, with snow-capped mountains towering to the skies, is situated the big clinic conducted by the world-famous Dr Rollier. “The traveller leaving Switzerland for Germany travels by a small, un-impressive-looking train, but she does not enter Germany in such modest style,” said Miss McLean. “At the German border we found awaiting us an elegant train with two enormous red swastikas painted on the engine.” In the Saar valley, women, brown and healthy-looking, were working in the fields. Not a man was in sight. In Heidelberg the next day Miss McLean learnt why the fields of the Saar were an Adamless Eden. She was awakened by the tramp of marching feet, a strange, disquieting sound when unaccompanied by a b nd or even the beat of a drdm From her Window she saw scores of m n in uniform marching in military ctyle, and learnt that they were on their way, not to battle, but to the outskirts of the tow'n to build bridges for the public works department.

Hitler as Matchmaker!

Much has been said and written for and against Hitler, but little has be n heard of the Fuhrer as a matchmaker. Most busy men would be thankful to allow this delicate role to be undertaken by a woman. Not so Hitler. And his method, though probably effective, could hardly be described as subtle. On a Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, in the public square at Heidelberg, Miss McLean saw a crowd which she was told numbered 25,000 persons. These were the workers from different parts of Germany—die women of the fields, the men on construction—enjoying their weekly holiday. They were brought in free excursion trains from various parts of Germany and led by bands 1 . They picnicked near Heidelberg, in the Neckar Valley, in any picturesque spot they chose. Their food for the day they carried in little enamel buckets covered with clean tea-towels. These free Weekly outings for workers are part of Hitler’s scheme for bringing together the people of the ea.-t and west, of the north and the south, so that they

may get to know one another, may inter-marry, and that goodfellowship and community of interests may be festered amongst all parts of the fatherland.

Public Health.

The hospitals ’which Mies McLean visited in Germany—their modern equipment and fine administration—impressed her greatly, as did also the country’s comprehensive and efficient health scheme, which provides for the maintenance of the health of each person from birth till death.' In Germany tramping is very popular, and accommodation at the many youth hostels is provided free by the’ government, and as in Sweden, the young people largely avail themselves of the privilege. The health of the nation is of paramount importance. Remedial as Well as educational gymnastics are regularly practised, and in one section near Frankfurt Miss McLean saw 14 swimming baths, five of which were 500 yards long. All were in constant use and all were floodlit at night. Although the people of Germany are poor, Miss McLean said she gained the impression that they were healthy, and during her stay in the country she saw no drunkenness, no street beggars, and no unemployed.