THE SECOND ECHELON
Qo the Editor, "The Listener" Sir,-In this week’s Listener appears an article entitled "The Physique of the 2nd Echelon," by 23/762. Sir, I think this article is an insult to the men of the Ist Echelon, men who thought only of answering their country’s call. If they had hesitated the 1st Echelon would not be somewhere on the sea at the present time. If the men of the ist Echelon had hesitated, New Zealand would surely have been lost-morally lost. The men of the 1st Echelon may be smaller than the men of the 2nd Echelon, but that does not make them smaller in mind. You may ask what right I have to criticise 23/762. My brother is away with the lst Echelon. He is not very big, only 21 years old, but 100 per cent. fit. He knew his own mind, his father was an Anzac, and he has a good idea of what they will have to face when they arrive on the other side of the world. Someone asked him when he was on final leave why he enlisted so soon; they told him there was plenty of time. He answered them, "I do not think there is plenty of time, My country needs me, and I think something of my country, also of the mother who brought me up and my sisters. If they are not worth fighting for then God help them and me." May I in conclusion say it is not our duty to judge whether the men of the 2nd Echelon are bigger and stronger than the men of the lst Echelon. It is not for us to judge any soldier, airman or sailor who leaves these shores to take part in the mighty struggle that confronts us. It is for us all to do our duty to these men while they are away and when they come home, and it is the duty of all who are left behind in New Zealand to strive to help these men to obtain their objective, which is freedom for all people and a better, brighter, and happier world to live in. May God bless and keep them one and all. Yours, etc.,
Judge not lest ye in turn be judged.
Owaka, South Otago, February 3, 1940. [We are pleased to print this tribute to the men of the First Echelon, but cannot agree that they required any defence. If our correspondent will read the article again, she will see that it contained no reflection of any kind on those men, whose courage and sacrifice we admire as much as she does, Our contributor merely reported an observation made by an officer who has helped with the organisation of both units, and is proud of both. Such comparisons are not derogatory].
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19400216.2.15.1
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 10
Word count
Tapeke kupu
468THE SECOND ECHELON New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 10
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in