ROTARIAN EVENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1940, Page 8

ROTARIAN EVENT

WELLINGTON MEMBERS VISIT MASTERTON CLUB ADDRESS ON WAR CONDITIONS. BEFORE & AFTER OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES. The weekly luncheon of the Masterton Rotary Club yesterday was a highlight in the activities of the club, when eighteen members of the Wellington Club paid their annual visit. There was a full attendance of Masterton members to welcome the visitors.

The president, Mr J. J. Hunter, extended a warm welcome to the visitors, who were piped into the Y.M.C.A. Rooms by a member of the Wairarapa College Pipe Band, Piper P. G. Whyte. Considerable amusement was provided by the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr F. M. Whyte, who levied several charges. The president of the Wellington Club, Mr E. P. Hay, occupied the chair.

Mr Harry Anderson, a past president of the Wellington Club, was the speaker of the day. He described his experiences of conditions in England and the Continent before and after the outbreak of hostilities with Germany.

Mr Anderson stated that he had been personally opposed to the British-Pol-ish pact, but after arriving in England and hearing the people there he had modified his views. British people held the opinion that Hitler must be stopped. “The feeling against Germany was very definite in Holland. Perhaps the chief reason was that Germany had not paid for the produce she had taken in the last war,” stated Mr Anderson. The Dutch people had confidence that Germany would never be able to penetrate their flood defences, but as events showed that hope had been destroyed. Mr Anderson mentioned that while in Holland he had visited the private residence and palace of Queen Wilhelmina. In Belgium the general feeling was very bitter, stated Mr Anderson, so bitter that at Nurse Cavell’s grave their guide was almost in tears. From Belgium Mr Anderson went on to Lucerne, later travelling to the Zurich Exposition, where he stated he saw a sight of amazing brilliance at the hotel where he stayed. Mr Anderson commented on the beautiful crystal chandeliers and elaborate decorations and the well dressed people in the hotel, which was of huge dimensions. Mr Anderson stated that he. left early one morning for the Rhone Valley to see the glaciers, and on returning could not find a person in the hotel. On enquiring from the manager he was told that Russia and Germany had signed a pact, and that the people had gone back to their countries. Mr Anderson then travelled to France, on the day that France mobilised. The speaker described the state of pandemonium that existed at Cook’s Bureau. He mentioned the plight of a Hungarian lady who had to get 8 visas to return to her home. His party was advised to return to England that night. August 26. Mr Anderson commented on events at' the time of embarking on an air liner for Croydon where the plane landed very late owing to planes landing at the airport every three minutes.

“In London the general impression when war was declared was ‘thank goodness it has come at last,’ ” stated Mr Anderson . He described the scene at his hotel, which contained 1,000 bedrooms, when the first air raid warning was sounded, and the calm attitude of the people. Mr Anderson said that the evacuation of the 350,000 children from London was accomplished in a few days, without incident. He stated that apart from the underground railway gates being closed and there not being any small buses on the road, there was no indication of the evacuation. Mr Anderson, referred to the efficiency of the A.R.P. organisation, which came into immediate effect on the outbreak of war.

An interesting light was thrown on the embarkation of the British troops from Southampton. Mr Anderson stated that he had heard a rumbling in the streets early one morning, ai.id on investigating he saw columns of transports, guns, supplies and other equipment passing by. “It was a wonderful piece of organisation to see the transports drive into an enclosure, and see the streams of ships going away,” stated Mr Anderson. The speaker observed that although there were terrific difficulties, it was to be hoped that the same organisation would be shown in the embarkation of troops from Belgium. Mr Anderson concluded by commenting on the defence system of England.

In moving a hearty vote of thanks. Mr S. L. P. Free stated that it brought to his mind comparisons of conditions 25 years ago, when he was in London.