BRITISH CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 4

BRITISH CHILDREN

WELCOME IN AMERICA-

EMPIRE AMBASSADORS A •'MOTHER'S" OPEN LETTER [FROM OUR OWN NEW YORK, Sept. 8 The cause of the British Empire can have no more capable and willing ambassadors than the children now arriving to take up their residence with American families for the duration of the war. Twice a week a British vessel arrives, bringing a juvenile contingent.

These children make bright stories for the American newspapers. Everyone in America is their friend. A million—two millions —of them would bo welcomed in cities and towns and rural settlements from Maine to California, from the Great Lakes to the Bio Grande. More so because on arriving they know something about the New World and its people.

Each vessel carries a "mother" and a dozen nurses. These good women heave a great sigh of relief when the voyage ends, as they know its dangers. A "mother" who has made two trips wrote in the press an open letter to tho boys and girls of America, because of two remarks mado to her by English children. She said:—

"A boy of 11 years said to mo: 'Lastsummer my American cousin said English boys were sissy because they had quiet voices and were polite. Will they think I'm sissy?'

"A girl of 13 j'oars, asked why she objected to going so much, said vehemently, 'Go, and have them say I ran away, when I'd so much rather stay and face it out with daddy and mummy —that's what I mind!'

"If ever you are tempted to say 'Sissy' to an English boy, because his voice is lower, or bis words seem to be more carefully chosen," continues the letter, "remember that, from seven to ]5 years ago, England was full of gently-spoken, polite boys like that. To-day, the skies are full of those same boys, now grown to be hard, keen, bravo men, whose hourly deeds of heroism are ono of the great epics of our time.

"Day after day night after night, the seas are patrolled by men who, not so long ago, were iust like the boys you will soon have as your guests."