THE HONEYMOON SHIP.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 July 1919, Page 4

THE HONEYMOON SHIP.

(Ships with two thousand New Zealand soldiers and their English wives are leaving Torquay.- News Item.) The girls are ours, we \toii them fair, (We captives held by a hank of hair) : It's ours to labour and plot and plan, That each may live to respect her man; May laugh and live and enjoy life's morn And stand four-square with the Native born. The captain loves his little girl who lisps of London town, Carnation, lily, lily, rose ; and light as thistledown. She's straight and clean and thoroughbred and sure to stand the pace ; But there's little light or laughter—will she ever stand the place ? The Major made his marriage with a length of tempered steel, I Who has lived about the stables with a lot of dogs at heel. She is trained to pick her panel, and she doesn't mind a fall, But a station-hack won't suit her . . and she'll rather miss the Hall. The lieut-enant has a flapper, silken legs aiid little more, Who will learn through days of dullness how to run a country store. You may hear her high Toice crackle like the thorns beneath a pot. Is she suited for the business ?—Well, I rather think she's not! See that grizzle-headed Dinkum with his chosen little Waac — Short and sturdy, deep and solid, strong enough to take the track — She's a dreadful county accent and a voice like sawing tin . . . But the digger thinks she loves him, and she's "on" through thick and thin ! The girls are ours and we take them back To God knows where on a half-lost track. From city and village and country seat, From shop and bar and the weary street; And they must smile, though their hearts are torn — And stand four-square with the Native born ! Godfrey Turner in London Opinion.