TENTH CONTINGENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 367, 18 March 1902, Page 3

TENTH CONTINGENT.

OPPOSITION TO SENDING MEN

not asked for,

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) Auckland, last night. Replying on Saturday to the Premier’s memo, re a Tenth Contingent Mr Massey, says that if he thought the necessity existed for doing so he should be in favor of another contingent ; “ but,” he . continues, we have already done more in proportion to population -than any ~TT other colony, and while I believe we have a duty to tho Empire which, when the occasion requires, we ought to perform at any sacrifice, still we ought occasionally to consider the welfare of this colony. I cannot agree therefore to sending more ~ men unless to do so by tbe Imperial Government.” 'Hr Monk, M.H.R., sent tho following reply “Re Tenth Contingent : Lord Kitohener announces not requiring more troops beyond what are en route. As a mere politician and opportunist I should say ‘ yes.’ As a New Zealander and citizen of the Empire I say, 1 let others, if needed, chip in heavier, than they are doing.’ I consider Lord Methuen’s disaster should not be termed a reverse to the British arms, but the culpable plundering of the commander in not soouting to keep brave soldiers out of slaughter. I cannot congratulate you on some of the officers you have lately pitched into the service, for I fear that in the hour of peril they may either blunder or run away. Patriotism appreciates only fitness.”

(Special to Times.)

AUCKLAND. In the course of an article the Auckland Star states If we' wish for a further argument .we have it concisely'put in a speech of Mr Seddon's at Dunedin on Wednesday. He is reported as saying ■“ Altogether we have sent out of the colony to the front 5100 officers and men. To equal that a city like Glasgow, with its population, would be required to send between 5000 and 6000 men. Relatively the population of Canada would require to send 35,000 and Australia 22,100 men, and the United Kingdom 271,000 men. A little further on he estimated the coot to New Zealand at half a million sterling. We have no wish to deprecate a display of patriotism, but ail .thoughtful men must be convinced that our colony has done more than its share. Since the beginning of the year we have raised from our small European population of 770,000 persons, 2000 men, while only a thousand have been considered necessary by the Government of the Australian Commonwealth out of its population of more 'than 3,000,000. Should the necessity ■really arise, we would be sorry indeed to see our Administration hang back, no matter how much we had done. But on the point whether the present juncture calls for additional draft of our sons in the Empire’s cause, we must emphatically disagree with the proposal. We have already close upon three thousand of our young men, either in Africa, en route there, or preparing to leave, and our country is not one that can afford to recklessly squander the sturdiest of its rising generation. The effect of a years campaigning also is decidedly harmful in many respects. It is exceedingly difficult after a year of adventure and incident to settle down to the. awndrum pursuits of peace. The work ot again drafting those already m our contingents into the tedious avocations of our colonial life is a problem which will press very heavily on us before lone. To disturb another thousand young men and set up in themaspiri of unrest is extremely undesirable, unin case of necessity. In our opinion everything points to the call or ° Tenth Contingent being one for which warrant is at present lacking Ind which should not be entertained without an express request from the Imperial Government.