PRAISE FOR ENGLISH SOLDIERS.

North Otago Times, 20 July 1917, Page 6

PRAISE FOR ENGLISH SOLDIERS.

1 ' t I. . MILITARY DECORATIONS. LONDON, July 3, The "Morning Post's" special correspondent, in iin article dealing with the position on the Western front, says:— • - •. "A Canadian officer, on being complimented on the gallantry of .Lis. countrymen,, replied:—"l do not.deny that we have done well, hut your 'Tommy' is the finest fighter on God's earth, fsii't he going to get any of the credit? I am sick to death of the, praise . v plastered over us. We do not deserve one. word more praise than your fight' ing men." The writer found this sentiment com- ■ mon to all colonials. A distinguished Aus- ■ ' tralian soldier said he had come to hate the word "Aiizac" "We came into this war of our own accord, in order to heat, the Germans." the Australian added, "and we do not want to be treated as though we should '' give up the fight unless we are mention- - ed every day. We are .good, stout fighters, as the Boehe knows, but'we take off our hats to the gallant old regiments of the Home Country." The writer adds: There is one universal grumble among the fighting units that while they admit the mniignilicent j work done behind the lines, they ask for a purely fighting decoration for I work done under (ire. The Military H Cross in some respects meets the griev- flj mice, but has been given to men at the bases. ' " T ' : ""■•" """ r '■"■' ' '■•■■-. i