SENSITIVE MIGRANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1923, Page 5

SENSITIVE MIGRANTS.

“POMMY” GIVES OFFENCE. ENGLISH NURSE’S COMPLAINT. London, May 27. The origin of the word "Pommy” wa® discussed at a conference of the Society for the Oversea Settlement of British Women, held for the purpose of making more widely known the society's aims. A woman Labour member questioned Australia’s arrangements for the reception of women immigrants, and quoted an instance of a nurse finding Australian women <so hostile that she immediately returned to England. She was particularly annoyed at Australian women for shouting. "There goes a Pommy.” Dr. Ellis, a Melbourne woman doctor, declared she never heard English women so described. Australians felt nothing but respect and affection for British women, and 99!) out of 1000 were assured of the happiest welcome.

Mrs. Foster, of Western Australia, said the term “Pommy’ was not used slightingly, but familiarly, and to distinguish the English, just as .“Aussie” did the Australian. Dame Meriei Talbot described the

word as a “chaffing allusion.” They must remember the cold shoulder frequently given Dominion visitors in England.