RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33230, 21 May 1973, Page 19

RANDOM REMINDER

ARTICLE INDEFINITE

Have you noticed how people have started abandoning the definite article? All manner and condition of man have taken to referring to themselves without that humble and curiously moderating little word “the” acting as a literary inhibition, a builtin restraint upon these delusions of grandeur to which we are all prone, but to which those who jocularly call themselves the servants of the people seem proner. Indeed the linguistic courtesy hitherto reserved for the divinity has now been coopted by certain strata of the human hierarchy, usually as part of the process of making themselves look important. In fact this linguistic courtesy has become something of linguistic sleight-of-hand, a small part of the larger effort to stand alongside the gods, not underneath them. The first group to mod-

estly accept this* selfimposed immortality was the Cabinet and it was quickly followed by the whole Government, Cabinet, they said, would do this and Cabinet would do that. Now, inevitably it’s Government Will do this and Government will do that. Unfortunately, this new usage, or abusage, spread rapidly and is as common as the flu virus for two reasons: first, reflected glory; it’s gratifying to assume even a little of the mantle of greatness. You can detect a hint of self - importance among those groups who announce from time to time that "we had talks with Government today and Government is sympathetic to our submissions.” The second reason, of course, is simple ingratiation; it is considered right and proper to humour the minor vanities of the keeper of the pursestrings But of course, it didn't

take local government long to follow suit. And so we hear, from time to time, that “Council is considering” or “Council has decided.”

During the dispute about wool marketing we heard someone announce that “Wool Board is having talks with Government.” It won’t be long before the situation reaches epidemic proportions and we get statements like this: “Nassella Tussock Authority deeply regrets that Rabbit Board and National Roads Board have failed to support Local Bodies Association and Productivity Council in submissions to Fish Marketing Authority we regard to THE dispute between Government and War Brides Commission.” If you feel strongly enough about it, remind your friendly local M.P. next time you see him that regimes which described themselves as “Government” in the past still got voted out.