RETURNED COLONIAL TROOPS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 January 1901, Page 4

RETURNED COLONIAL TROOPS.

(BIT BLBCTRIO TBliKGßAPH—copyright.) [MR PRBS3 ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, January 8. The participation of a large number of visiting soldiers gave an Imperial ring to tho welcome to the Orient's returned soldiers. Major-General French and Colonel Pole-Penton boarded tho vessel on its arrival and welcomed tho soldiers. Mr Soddon was amongst a Urge crowd on the wharf. A guard of honor was providod by tbo Imperial Fusilier Regiments, escnrted by detachments of tha local forces. The Indian contingent, N. S. Wales, Queensland and New Zealand returned South African troops, the Queensland and New Zealand Federal contingents, the New Zealand Pipers, and the Queensland headquarters' band marched to tho barracks through enthusiastic crow 3s in tho streets. The form up on the lawn was welcomed by a brilliant assemblage, including Lord Hopetoun, Sir Wm. Lyne, Mr Barton, Mr Soddon, Sir J. Forrest, an 1 other distinguished visitors. Sir Wm. Lyne congratulated them on doing their duty so gloriously, and said that it was intended to erect a monument to those fallen and look aftar tho3e they left behind, Tho Australians were looked upon us the finest and best soldiers sent to the war.

Mr Seddon gave the boys from the front a hearty welcome. He said that they had covered themselves with laurels and worthily uphold the credit of the race from which they sprung. Many people contend that it was almost necessary in a case of emergency to have a permanent paid force for tho defence of the colonies. But these men taken from tho volunteer forces, had been shoulder to shoulder with the best trained men of the .Empire, and worthily sustained the host traditions of the British Army. They received the greatest praise for the noble services they performed, For tho future time could be no distinction whatever in tho forces of the Empire. They had helped to wipe out the stain on the Empire’s escutcheon of Majuba Hill; they not only behaved as soldiers, but as gentlemen. The country would do its duty to those who had fallen and had been left behind. Sir J. Forrest said that they went away with the honor of Australia in their keeping and returned with tho?*honor unsullied.

Mr Barton welcomed them on behalf of United Australia. The Commonwealth would do its duty to the fallen and left behind. In response to Mr Seddon, chae's were given for the returned soldiers followed by cheers for Lord and L idy Hopotoun.

In replying, Lord Hopotoun all of us in the Old Land wh'pßact your doings in South Afrlogrfeit proud of our kinsmen beyondjtjfte sea, and ho was proud to be therejQ'vvolcome them back.