THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 December 1901, Page 4

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

The States prepared to take Action

Mblb hjhnh, Dec 19.

In the Assembly Yale moved that the House regretted that the Federal Governmeni declined to offer the Imperial Government unaskel service of an Australian Contingent in South Africa. The Premier whilst disapproving of wording the motion as conveying a censure on the Federal Government, spoke strongly in'favor of the Colonies supporting the Mother Country. At the last meeting of the Cabinet he had been instructed to open negotiations with the Premiers’ of other States to obtain an expression of opinion on the subject. He hoped Parliaments still sitting would express similar views as the Victorian Assembly. It would show the Boers and those encouraging them that it was absolutely untrue that the Colonies regretted sending men to assist the Empire. The motion was amended in the form of expressing the hope that the Federal Government would send a contingent. This was carried

Bbisbanh, Dec 19.

The Premier has received a telegram from the Yioooriun Premier, stating that in the event of the Federal Government not taking steps to send a contingent, Victoria is prepared to take action. Philip has wired to the New South Wales Premier suggesting that all States .should join in the movement.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington, This Day. The number of applications received up to the present for 172 places in the Eighth Contingent allotted to Wellington is 257 including 26 returned troopers.