OUR RETURNING SOLDIERS. Do We Want Them Back ?

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 December 1900, Page 6

OUR RETURNING SOLDIERS. Do We Want Them Back ?

THE Post finds fault with the Premier for requiring the members of the arious New Zealand "Contingents at the seat of war to rejoin their corps preparatory to returning to the colony. It regards this order as an evidence of " the utterly selfish nature of Mr Seddon's boastful patriotism." But is it so ? In spite of our appreciation of the sweet reasonableness which usually characterises the views taken by the Po^t on -current questions we venture to think on this occasion its judgment is rather at fault. More than that, we hold the •opinion that Mr Seddon's interpretation of the duty laid upon the troopers, whom the colony at great -expense sent to South Africa, reflects the wishes and carries with it the endorsement of the public at large. • • • It was a big sacrifice for so small a •country as ours to send away to a distant land over 1700 of the very pick and flower of its young manhood. They were withdrawn from every kind of industrial avocation and useful employment. In many cases they could ill be spared by mothers and sisters who were more or less dependent upon their earnings. And their equipment and pay while on active service obliged New Zealand to dip its hand very deeply in its trousers pocket to find the sinews of war. * * • Still, the colony was eager and proud to pay the price and make the sacrifice to attest its loyalty to the flag, and to prove its readiness to bear its full share in fighting the battles of the Empire. But it certainly never did

contemplate that, when the war was over, our yonng soldiers— the very elite of a stalwart yeomanry — should have carte blanche to leave their companies and settle down in South Africa. On the contrary, had any enconragement been given to that idea the martial spirit would have been checked at its very inception, and the public would have shewn strong opposition to the hair brained project of depopulating New Zealand for the benefit of South Africa. • • • Surely to goodness the colony has made sacrifice enough. Some of its best and bravest blood has been shed on South African soil in defence of the Empire. Its quota of troops has been larger in proportion than that furnished by any other colony or dominion. And they were among the first to be despatched to the seat of war. Now that their work is practically done, what hardship is entailed upon anyone by summoning them home ? The Imperial Government is perfectly satisfied with the colony's splendid manifestation of patriotism. It is grateful to us and needs or suggests no further sacrifice. Then, in the name of all that is fair, why call the Premier hard names and roundly abuse him for taking steps to bring our troopers home again ? » # • Even the Post admits that " technically of course the men are bound by their agi'eement to return to the colony." Of course they are. Everyone knows that. Then why blame the Premier for not allowing our Contingents to disband in South Africa? Does the Imperial Government act on these lines ? Assuredly not. When war is over its soldiers and its sailors are conveyed home again before they are released from service. And the greatest precautions are taken to present them disbanding themselves. « * • At the same time we think it would be a graceful and a proper thing for the colony to mark in some substantial way its sense of the splendid service which her troops have rendered in the field. Canada has set the other colonies a noble example by giving her returned soldiers grants of land — 160 acres in each case if we remember aright. Surely, New Zealand will not be outdone in generosity. Most of these young men have been taken from a farming life. It would be an excellent thing to furnish them with grants of land, in the several provincial districts to which they belong, so that they might settle down with fair prospects. » • • It would be likewise good business for the colony. By attaching them to the soil we make sure of retaining the benefit of the experience they have gained of military service. They would furnish most excellent drill instructors for our untried volunteers, and their presence and their exploits would communicate that esprit tie corps which is so valuable in a volunteer organisation. The Premier has done well in the step he has taken. But he will do still better if he makes adequate provision for a substantial recognition of the services rendered by our soldiers in the field.