EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 294, 19 December 1901, Page 2

EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

MR BARTON’S ATTITUDE,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, Dee. 18.

Captain Currie and Mr J. S. Horsfall yesterday interviewed Mr Burton on. tho question of sending troops. Subsequently Mr Barton announced that it was not intended by tiie Government to tako further steps to send more men. Mr McCullough, Victorian Minister of Defence, in another letter to the press, expresses sad disappointment that nothing has been done in regard to his suggestion to send a further contingent. Ho understands certain of Mr Barton’s followers are not favorable, and asks is this the reason for the Commonwealth holding back, when Canada and Now Zealand are to the fore. He wishes we had some one at the head of the Commonwealth with sufficient backbone to rise to the occasion. Had there been no Federation it is certain the colonies long ero this would have sent. contingents. He says he lias been inundated with letters from men desirous of volunteering. The Age says :—“ Wo are told that New Zealand, with a population of 810,000, can send away another contingent of 1000. This proper sign of public spirit does credit to Mr Seddon’s sense of the colony’s Imperial obligations. Australia talked a great deal about coming into nationhood. If we are a nation amongst the nations under the British Hag we must, in self-respect, play a man’s part amongst men. When the Empire is in the throes of battle we cannot in deooney fold our arms. Mr Barton’s attitude is a distinct disappointment to hundreds of thousands of patriotic Australians.” The Age denounces Mr Barton’s want of enthusiasm, and points to tho wisdom of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr Seddon’s offer. What far transcends tho physical value of any troops sent is the eloquent answer the sending of them gives to the food of vituperation and spite.

Sydney, Dec. 18. Sydnoy Morning Herald aayg; “ Mr Seddon has distinguished himself by being the first in the field to offer another contingent. The offer comes a 3 a timely answer to the taunts of certain Continental newspapers. There is a chorus of journalistic approval of Mr Seddon’s offer, and the accompanying remarks received enable us to realise that the time has come when the Commonwealth should follow New Zealand’s example. Tha reason why Australian volunteers have not been offering before is that the State authorities were not competent to move, as at the outbreak oi the war. The matter can only effectively be taken in hand by the Commonwealth Executive, and it isnature, that the Minister should await a. definite expression of opinion before committing the States. Mr Seddon is entitled to every credit for his promptitude, hut, needless to say, neither New South Walesnor any other State will exhibit the slightest hesitation in sending more men to the front. N 0 one who knows anything of the feeling of Australians will tolerate j* suspicion for a moment that there will be any more difficulty in raising fresh troops here than in Canada. The willingness of the War Office to accept our aid is the greatest compliment that can be U!i - t H ‘ s hoped the Federal Ministers w ill see their way to taking action at an early date.”

. Wellington, last night. It is desired that a Now Zealand bearer corp s should accompany the contingent. About, fifteen of the Wellington Bearer Corps volunteer to go, and it is thought the offier ten could easily- be got in other centres.

Lord --.oborts has cabled the Rremier, I congratulating New Zeuland at the i further proof of its loyalty to the Mother Country, and the army in South Africa on being reinforced by an Lighth Contingent of New Zealanders. Auckland, last night. There m-e already 230 applications at the Auckland Brigade Office for the Lighth Contingent. This docs not include country recruiting centres. Over a dozen officers are included in the list. Blenheim, last night. Blenheim will easily raise its quota for the Eighth Contingent. Captain Poison. D. 5.0., is among those who have volunteered.