For King and Empire.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 December 1901, Page 3

For King and Empire.

Shall we send an Eighth Contingent? (OXJB OWN cobbbspondbnt). Dunbdin, This Day. This morning the Editor of the Dunedin "Star," addressed to members of both branches of the Legislature within easy accj3 a query as to their idea of sending an eighth contingent of say, 500 men to South Africa without delay. The following replies are published this

evening: Otaqo. Mr J. A. Miller heartily approves of sending another contingent. He expresses the opinion that under the circumstances

Canada having volunteered, and Australia having been invited to send further men to South Africa, this Colony must do as she has done in the past—take a forefront in the movment, as it would never do for New Zealand co take a back scat in what it is to be hoped is the final act of the South African campaign. " Yes, I consider that the war has been so prolonged that if it is not brought promptly to a finish, it will prove detrimental to us as an Empire. Under any circumstances it is absolutely necessary that the colonies should continue to cooperate with the Motherland, more especially as this has been made necessary by recent criticisms on the Continent, which haveobviously been'directed against these colonies. Our success in the work o f colonisation has prompted these " Pinp icks." Our best answer to thr se is to Bhow the world at large that England and her colonies will stand shoulder to shoulder tp tbe end,—J, F. Arnold."

Mr Barclay would rather hot express an opinion at the present juncture. "I think that it is a great pity that the need for calling for fresh reinforcements from the Colonies has arisen, but since it

is clear that the Empire calls for more men to finish up the War, it is the duty of our Colony to send her quota. The Contingent should be dispatched without debecause the sooner this guerilla warfar& for that is what it really has beeo'Me, is stoppad the better for ftllj 15 will save expense, I<»si» of Valuable lives, and enable the Empire to turn its attention to domestic matters. —D. P.uka'con, M.L.C.

"If requested by tho Imperial authorities I think New Zealand should promptly send an Eighth Contingent ftj South Africa.—E. G. Allen."

"If the Euipiro calls lam in favor of rendering every assistance in our power, but I should not favor the Colony taking the initiative. —W. T. Carncross,"

"If tho Imperial authorities say they need our help, then I say give it.—JaS. Allen."

x 'lt appears to mo clear if this protracted war is to be brought to a close, the Empi?'e must put forth its strength and ctrike home. What has stood out prominently in the history of this war has boen the unity of the Empire, the bravery of tho soldier 3, and the vacillation of our Statesmen The olc" proverb *'The hotter the war, the sooner peace" has been entirely-disregarded in this campaign. If the British Government really

mean to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, and really mean to take off their kid glove 3 and permit their soldiers to fight to the death, then we in New Zealand should willingly unito with them in sending forth once more our brave mon to do battle for the Empire, and unler 'such conditions I will heartly support the dispatch of att Eight Contingent, and while the British Government are about the business they might consider the propriety of sending out a ship load of British pro-Boer under the General-ship of Sir H. Camp. bsll-Bannerman and Mr W. T. Stead, in order to give these gentlemen an opportunity of actnally tasting some of the pleasures of a war, which they have done so much to protrct.—T. MacKenzie." The propriety of sending an Eight Contingent of troops from this colony to South Africa, is in a measure governed by our past actions. With all other parts of the Empire this colony has recognised the prosecution of the Boer war to a successful issue as an Imperial work in a sense. Then we are pledged to see that work completed, and completed as speedily as possibly. If to accomplish this, tho Imperial authorities desire further assistance it is, I hope, our duty to cheerfully and promptly comply with such a desire. —W. M. Bolt." .

"The Hon. Hugh Gourley warmly approves of the proposal to send an Eight Contingent on similar terms to those under which the last contingents were sent, and hopes that by means of united and prompt action, the colonies will be enabled to play a prominent part in bringing the war to a speedy and satisfactory termination. The Hon. G. M'Lean warmly approves of the proposal, and will assist it by every means in his power. FROM OTHER CENTRKS. "Certainly if the Empire requires it I would by all moans agree to another contingent being sent to South Africa. —James Colvin." "Apart altogether from the question of finance, I think it would be perfectly proper thing to offer the services of 1000 men provided that they are given the option of remaining in South Africa if they choose. I cannot understand the in.°ensate objection made by the Premier to giving that option to the members of previous contingents. As to ways and means under the present sys r em of Government, members of Parliament are allowed no responsibility.—F. Pirani." "I consider it premature to expross any opinion prior to the proposal being made officially.—R. McKonzie." "I consider it is highly desirable that an offer to send an eighth contingent should be made by the Colony, so that tho present guerilla warefare may be terminated as speedily as possiblo. This contingent (if accepted) should in my opinion, only be sent subject to the fullowing conditions:—first, that the Acting Commandant should .have complete control in selecting the officers and men, and no local or political influence should be permitted to be used in their selection, second, that the selection should be made from persons who by their mode of life, have a thorough knowledge of rough riding and no one under twenty-five years of age should be eligible, third, that returned troopers who are fit for service and are desirous of going should have a first claim to enrolment, fourth, that there should be no condition attached to the enrolment of the officers or men as compelling them to return to New Zealand after their fperiod of service is completed. A. R. Guinness." H. Field, the-member for Otaki, favors sending an eighth contingent if the Imperial authorities ask for it. Mr John Hutchison (Wellington) says that he has not changed his opinion on the war. He still remained a Quaker on this subject. Tho British should end tho war by making terms with the Boers. They might kill the Boers by continuing the war but they would neyer make British colonists of them by force. Certainly he was against sending another contingent.

CANTEBBCBY. Mr G. W. Smith holds that a communication from the Imperial Government asking if New Zealand is going to follow the footsteps of Canada, is really a request to send another contingent, and should be complied with. He thought that the colonies should give the lie direct to the assertions of the German newspapers. At the same time although New Zealand could not set down stipulations, the Government ought to mako it pretty clear that they expect the Imperial Government to take into earnest consideration the question of bringing the war to a close. While the colonies were doing their part, the Home authorities ought to do theirs in the same spirit, and also in the same proportion. This colony had done in fact more than the Old Country, in proportion to its population, and re sources. It is difficult at this distance to judge what was taking place at the seat of war, to an outsider. However, certainly it seemed that stronger efforts and more definite steps should- be taken to bring the guerilla fighting to an end in the interests of ;the Boers, as well as the Empire. A prolongation of the struggle, however, could mean only further hardship and disaster.

Mr W. W. Collins thinks if the Imperial authorities deem it desirable that more men ought to bo sent from these pirts, the colonies should do their bpst. He does not sso any great difficulty in the way of raieing the men required. If Australia sends 5,000, New Zealand ought to try to raise 1,000. If the Imperial authorities require. more m?n at this

juncture, it would be a good thing for the colonies to show that they are just as much in touch with the Mother Country, as formerly. Mr G. Lauronson, (Lyttelton) expressed himself as follows on the subject: " Wo in New Zealand have done our duty in sending out contingents ; but in view of the importance of bringing this apparently never ending war to a rapid conclusion, I am in favour of send-

ing cut an Eight Contingent. As to how many men it should consist of I cannot at present say. I should be averse to send any more men out of the colony, or to spending any

more money on the matter, L not recognise the exceptional circumstances of the position we are in. To refuse the request of the Imperial Government; would be to very largely discount all that has been done, and would be very much in tho nature of spoiling the ship for a haporth of tar." Mr W. W. Tanner, (Avon) favors sending men to Bouth Africa. He would i send any reasonable number that could be spared. Like everybody else He fe*us that the war !Va« bo'eii gi'Etiiiy protracted, and no particular credit, he adds, is due' to the Imperial authorities. They have evidently been laz in the" prosecution of the _ ar. The talk about making terms with tho Boers he looks upon as pure nonsense after annexation of South Africa. They will have to be treated as a conquered country, and will have to be ruled with a strong handi There must be no fooling> The interests of these colonies aro bound up with.thos»3 of tho Empire generally. If, therefore, has jbecome the duty of the colonies to respond to- the request with the utmost heartiness, and to the fullest extent of their power if necessary. He does not for a moment imagine the request will be likely to tax the colonies to the attaining point.

Mr G. W, Russell (Riccarton) said that up till lately he had been of opinion that the Colony had done all that could reasonably be expected and that the Imperial authorities at the Cape might be left to finish the unfortunate business but in view of the sneers of German newspapers and the action taken in Canada and parts of Australia it was impossible for any one person in New tc think of the Colony standing out, It was a matter of supreme importance to New Zealand owing to its geographical position as well as to the general interests it possessed as part of the British Empire that the war should be brought to an end at the earliest possible date. Experience shows that men from this Colony were peculiarly adapted for the class of work that remained to be done in South Africa and if, under the altered circumstances, the Government decided to despatch another contingent it would have his hearty support and of all his constituents. lie sending more men to South Africa, I will forward a copy of my reply to the Government if consulted by them. Ido not care to publish my opinion before I have been officially asked for it.— W. J. Steward (Waitaki). If the Empire requires our assistance we should give it unsparingly and soon.— John McLachlan (Ashburton).