THE ANZAGS

Nelson Evening Mail, 26 May 1916, Page 7

THE ANZAGS

A REPLY TO SOME CRITICS, j

Some people, says the New Zealand Herald, appear to be a trifle touchy about what they regard as the excessive laudation of the Australian' and New Zealand troops. After a long silence, imposed by the censor, there has been a flood of news, or gossip,, about the Anzacs, fcut is this so very strange that it must be written down as evidence of colonial swelled-headedness ? Has nobdy ever heard of Scotsmen taking a. special pride in the deeds of the Gay Gordons, of Irisnmen being excessively interested | in the dash of the Irish Fusiliers, of the enduranc of the Yorkshire men being especially honoured in their own country? If these things are good, what is wrong with Australians and New Zealanders giving the soft "side of their hearts to their own men? The suggestion that these little sidelights on the movements of the Anzacs, even the occasional repetition of their small talk, diverts anybody's attention ivpjg the seriousness" of the war or gives anybody the impression that the Anzac is the only man in the field is qijise absurd. It would be nearer the truth to assort that the reverse is the case, that the man or woman who follows with closest interest the dipings of a" particular regiment, whether English, Irish, Scottish, or Colonial, is taking the most intelligent interest in the war as a whole and has the clearest conception of what it all means. Show me the place where the interst in local soldiers is at a low ebb and' I will show; . you the place which has done less than its share in sending men to the front. In particular the suggestion that the Australian and New Zealand soldiers are themselves to blame for magnifying their, own part in the war deserves to be checked. Every returned New Zealand er speaks of the heroism of the 29th. Division at Gallippli, of the magnificent fighting qualities of the Australians. The Arizac is not generally a braggart. Other people have/been blowing his trumpet, and one of those who blew the loudest was Mr Ashmead Bartlett, ; who' ihas recently appeared in the role of Satan reproving sin.