THE COMFORT OF THE IMMIGRANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 8

THE COMFORT OF THE IMMIGRANT

THE Bishop of London, having returned to his See, after “doing” the Dominions, said it was true that some British immigrants did not feel comfortable in Australia. The Bishop mentioned the fact that the Australians, who are no particular respecters of persons, or even respecters of particular persons, referred to British immigrants as “Pommies.” But Dr. Ingram expresses no enmity to the Australians on this score. Nor need lie. “Pommie” is a shortening of “pomegrante,” to the colour of which tanned Australians have compared the ruddy complexions of the average newcomer. It was a change from “immigrant,” and, like the word “Homie,” applied by New Zealanders to those fresh from their Homeland, it was meant to he familiarly friendly and was not coined in any offensive sense. The British people are reminded by Dr. Ingram that they must not rub Australians the wrong way. The same warning might he applied so far as New Zealanders are concerned. “They have their difficulties as well as Britain, and she must respect their susceptibilities.” Quite so. The blame for any friction is not on one side. Some of the immigrants who are most sensitive to the terms “Pommie” or “Homie” are the most rudely critical of the country and the people they have joined. Australians and New Zealanders are both proud and jealous of their splendid dowry, and the newcomer who begins to criticise too freely and to draw invidious distinctions between the old land and the new is liable to get himself disliked. If the British immigrant comes to condemn our inferiority and to laud the superiority of the land he was glad to leave in the hope of finding better tilings, he had far better have stayed at home. If he comes with courage and good humour to lielji in the progress of a young count-y, he will early find the road to prosperity and to the hearts of the native-born.