IRONIC AMUSEMENT OVER NEW YEAR HONOURS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 January 1947, Page 7

IRONIC AMUSEMENT OVER NEW YEAR HONOURS

(Special Correspondent). .

WAR SERVICE UNRECOGNISED Received Fridny, 7.30 p.m.

LONDON, Jan. 3. : Ironie amusement alternating -with indignation is the mood aroused among the New Zealand eolony in Britain at the announcement that only one New Year's honour has been granted to civilians closely assqciated with the pominion 's activities m this country. That honour, an was awarded to the teleph'onist at New Zealand House! While few New Zealanders herei would deny that she justly ea.rned this sole recognition of her work there is a widespread feeling that many voluntary workers who did. excellent work in clubs and other establishments throughout the war should also receive some recognition. Only fouy^ ^ honours. have been conferred on ordinary workers though hundreds served, some for the whole of the war including the blitz. They worked every day until late at night, and when travelling was often diflicult and dangerous. While they carried on without thought of honour or reward the opinion was expressed that they certainly deserve recognition. When Mr. W. J. Jordan (High Commissioner) was asked wliether he had heard the comments he saidi " My word, yes! ,From all sides! ,1 explained the position continually, but there is uothing ,more that I can do. Last year I sub.mitted scores of uaiues of those who did maguificent work for flve years for .our servicenien aud women in Britain. Four honour s were granted in January 194(3, to two members of New Zealand .House staff and two to voluntary worlc.ers. I .hope that the others mentioned ,on that list will yet be recognised. 1 certainly cannot put other names forwt^rd while those persons go unreeognised although I could add to that list."