ZULUS AT THE FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1917, Page 3

ZULUS AT THE FRONT

OETEWAYO’S NEPHEW. "trance. I do not think that I have ever been so impressed with a sense of, why tip Allies/ are bound to win the war than I was to-day. It was a sight of a double line of South African natives lined up for me to see in one of the many camps which are already occupied by South African Native. Labour Corps in various parts of the war area. In the ranks of the motionless array, standing 'rigidly to attention, were splendidly-looking Zulus), sturdy Basutos from the Northern Transvaal, and deep chested, Pondus willing volunteers, every one of them, who have exchanged their sunny luxuriance for the bitter checrlessness of this particularly severe winter in order to do their “bit.”

The officer who conducted m© round their compound was a gentlemen distin guislied in current South African history. He called three men out of the ranks: ono a nephew of Cetewayo, another a son of Dinizuhi, the, third named Dwaland. I desired him to ask Dwalana whothor there was any message lie would like to send to South Africa. His reply, interpreted, was that lie and his comrades were proud to be with the great Army of the Empire in France; that they were well cared for and happy, and that although the weather had been such as> they never dreamed of before,- yet, thanks to plenty of good food, warm clothes, dry huts with big fires, and a generous supply of blankets, they were getting through it quite well. These natives wear a blue serge uniform not dissimilar from that of tli# Royal Marines, with blue cloaks, cowboy hats (frequently adorned according to tayte), ammunition boots, and puttees. Their daily rations consist of 11 of mealie meal, which ds made into a very savoury porridge, £lb of bread, lib of meat, coffee, and salt. Twice a week they get lib of vegetables per head, and tobacco and cigarettes ari# issued. There is a dry canteen in every compound. The scheme is another of Geneva! Botlia’y great services to the Empire. The success of the step has been so great and unqualified that the War Office is asking for it to be expanded many-fold beyond the original limit. One result of enormous value should he the setting free of a great number of white labour and permanent base men for other work.

The natives are segregated upon very much the' same plan as in the South African mining compounds. Every effort is being made to amuse them; and they are naturally great singers; and aro encouraged to get up smoking concerts. About 25 per cent, of them speak English, and the rest show great koeness to learn to road and writ© our language. The employment consists of every kind of general military labour. The discipline is excellent, the police and sentries being all natives who are unarmed,—Reuter’s Specal.