THE COLONIES AND THE WAR.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 80, 20 May 1902, Page 4

THE COLONIES AND THE WAR.

Discussing the decision of the New Zealand Government tp continue sending men to Sqnth Africa, the “ Cape Times ” says ew£^eala nd’s splendid patriotism has evidently stimulated afresh the Imperial ardour of the Australian Commonwealth. To-day’s cables announce that the Federal Premier lias stated that in response to Mr Chamberlain’s request the Commonwealth will send a further 2000 men to South Africa. This is the kind of spirit that makes the Empire. Recent events in the Western Transvaal have had the effect of arousing the Empire for a further effort, and when the Mother calls the sons are ever ready. Doubtless, we shall shortly hear that Canada has c m»e forward with another offer of men. So throughout the war the colonies have come forward willingly and spontaneously, and in this way the Empire is spreading all over the globe an army of veterans whose experience in South Africa will be of the greatest value if ever the time should come for another call upon their services. This reminds one that within a few days 2000 time-expired New Zealanders will arrive in Capetown from the North in order to proceed to their homes in the Southern seas. The Soldiers’ Comforts Committee will, as usual, offer them some hospitality m the name and on behalf of the citizens, and if townsfolk only knew when the returning warrioi-s would arrive in Capetown, many hundreds would gladly take advantage of the opportunity to wish them Godspeed upon their voyage to their homes. Within the next few days the transports Surrey and Cornwall may be expected to arrive in Table Bay having on board the membets of the Eight Contingent of New Zealand Mounted Rifles. The same transports are bringing about a thousand horses for service in South Africa, and these are considered to be the finest animals that have left New Zealand. The men are stated to be a young, smart lot, a large number of them being athletes while 25 per cent, have already "seen active service in this country. Nearly all the officers have been to tho front, most of them with the First New Zealand Contingent. The occasion of the arrival of the Eighth Contingent might well be made the opportunity for a public demonstration on the part of the citizens of Capetown, expressing appreciation of the magnificent patriotism that has been by the gallant little colony. If the sanction of the military authorities could be obtained nothing would please the people of this city more than to be given an opportunity of expressing in some befitting manner their recognition os the splendid work that the New Zealanders have already done in the field, and their sense of the high spirit of Imperialism which has prompted Mr Seddon, the illustrious Premier of New Zealand to offer the British Government a Ninth and yet a Tenth Contingent. No doubt if the men were permitted to march through the principal streets of Capetown before entraining for the North, they would receive a heart-stirring welcome, the enthusiasm of which would show New Zealand that her spleudid and patriotic sacrifices are fully appreciated in Cape Colony.