Words and Phrases.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20609, 9 May 1935, Page 10

Words and Phrases.

fairly common practice in New Zealand, of referring to fellow-countrymen living abroad as ex-New Zealanders. Is this correct ? The Dominion-born jockey Keith Voitre has been living in Melbourne for only two months. Y t already he is being described as the ex-New Zealander. Australian-born regard themselves as always Australians wherever they live. And if it comes to that, we do not refer to our Oriental laundrymen as ex-Chinese. The term has come into use because so many New Zealanders settle down abroad, and the absurdity of the term is overlooked because there is nothing to remind us, as there would oe in the case of a German or a Chinese, of the permanence of a man’s nationality. In any case, ex is never very happy in a compound word. Some persons might humorously regard an ex-New Zealander as a Zealander who is no longer new. At any rate, that is the objection that arises in compounds. The language is still in need of some designation to fit the bill perfectly. Late, erstwhile, former, quandam, sometime and whilom all have imperfections, and late is especially to be avoided because it may mean either that the person has died or that his term of office is over. There is nothing wrong in speaking of an ex-mayor or an ex-president, but a New Zealander is a New Zealander wherever he goes. TOUCHSTONE.