DOMINION REACTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 6

DOMINION REACTIONS

Young soldiers from overseas are thinking new thoughts about England, writes the London correspondent of the Christian Science Monitor. Before they left their homes in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa or Newfoundland they had been told that England was picturesque, historic and a bit oldfashioned. They crossed the sea prepared to admire her beauty and be tolerant of her old-time habits. They arrived to see the Battle of Britain, and stood amazed at the resilient vigour of the "Old Country." They watched her, undismayed, settle.down to take the Nazis on alone. They saw the slow English speed up industry and increase production with an energy which could not have been surpassed in the hurrvink New World. Finally, with pity and pride, chey knew the destruction of air attack and the matter-of-fact courage of the people, The overseas men like people who can take punishment, and perhaps, most of all. they admire the grit of the women. When they first arrived some of them complained of English quietness and reserve; now they s>ay they see the good side of this reserve in the unflinching calmness under air bombardment They feel that a more exuberant people might be less determined.