"Boys" Will Be "Boys"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 247, 18 October 1941, Page 14

"Boys" Will Be "Boys"

m DIGHT throughout the country you men referred to as "boys," and in my opinion it is more than time the term was dropped. Actually, it is not just my opinion. It is the opinion of the troops overseas, 'and has been spoken of several times by men invalided home. Those who have gone overseas are doing a man's job. This statement of LieutenantColonel J. G. Jeffery, area staff officer, Dunedin, would be amusing were it not so very definite. What has happened to New Zealanders? From the officer's comment, which, he says, is not just based on his own opinion, it would appear that our troops overseas are suffering from a sense of injustice; they don't like being spoken of as "boys." This, surely, cannot be true. There cannot have taken place that change in our manhood in the past twentyfive years. But just in case this impression does prevail it may be advisable to remind them that they lack appreciation of the real meaning and intention. It is not "a jingoistic and shallow practice," as the colonel condemns it, but a term of affectionate regard. If they object to such, then, they are guilty of throwing back in the face of the people something the like of which they may come to appreciate, if not need, some day No one has ever suggested they have not gone overseas to do a man s job." Far from it. But some hundred thousand New Zealanders went overseas in 1914-1918 "to do a m ?i n l A ob w and were Proud to be called the "boys." With all modesty as one of them, may I add: they did a mans job. More than this: they earned a reputation not only as the New Zealand Division and the New

M l Zealand Mounted Brigade, but for - their unwillingness to complain— about anything. That reputation is 1 now in the keeping of the 2nd , N.Z.E.F. to maintain. I believe it : will be upheld, but not by any sense L of inferiority. In the absence of further proof , than the speaker's words we may well believe they are based on the . femarks of a few men invalided . home from overseas, perhaps a bit t disgruntled with their lot or the ; scantiness or lack of action in actual battle which they have or have not r experienced. The officer who supports these men in such strong terms displays an overwhelming lack of . appreciation for one in his position \ of the deep feeling expressed in the use of the term, the "boys." I can 1 only hope he has not misinterpreted : the majority. I feel sure he has. It is now long since we of the last ■ war were honoured by this generic 1 term—the "boys." Yet even to-day - our old hearts beat the faster, and a new upsurge of pride takes place i within us when evidence is forth- > coming, as it often is, that we are - still just this with the general public I And we are proud of it; proud, I though many of us are now grand- - fathers, that we retain that affection. ; So far as this aspect of war and post- , war years is concerned, we could ask i for nothing better for our sons—the i boys' overseas.— TROOPER 5