PEACE PROSPECTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20732, 16 February 1939, Page 15

PEACE PROSPECTS

OBSERVATIONS IN EUROPE

POLITICS IN NEW ZEALAND (By Telegraph.—Press WELLINGTON, Wednesday In the opinion of Mr C. W. Neilsen, Wellington, who returned by the Wunganella to-day with his wife after twelve months abroad, mostly on the Continent, the prospects for peace arc good. “It was made plainly evident to me that none of the peoples of Europe want war,” he said. "We were in Germany when Mr Chamberlain made his first visit to Herr Hitler, and the former's efforts undoubtedly met with warm approval throughout the Continent. During a leisurely tour of Italy and Greater Germany, Mr Neilsen concluded that dictatorship rule had had good results in Italy without noticeably affecting the spirit of the people, but :n Germany a tremendous amount of discontent had been driven underground. It was impossible to avoid being deeply impressed by the efficiency of the Government in both countries. Gloomy comment on the political future of New Zealand was encountered by Mr Neilsen in England and elsewhere. He said that when he first reached London last June the Dominion's credit did not stand high, and certainly there had' been no improvement since then. The actions of the New Zealand Government were regarded as socialistic experiments and they were being watched with interest, but commercial circles were not hopeful of the outcome.