The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 30, 7 February 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

The telegram received by His Worship the Mayor of New Plymouth, whish ( appears elsewhere, will, we feel sore, ( cause very great disappointment throughout Taranaki. To common . with their fellow colonists all over the < colony the people of Taranaki have I looked forward to seeing at least a portion of the Imperial troops now visiting New Zealand. They recognised that on acoount of the limited time the troops are allowed to remain in New Zealand there was a difficulty in securing a visit from all the troops on both the east and west coasts of this island, and it was generally agreed that a fitting arrangement would be to send 500 via Wairarapa and Napier, and 500 via Wanganui and New Plymouth. This course would enable a very large section of the inhabitants of Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Taranaki Provincni Districts to sse a fair proportion of the visiting troops and would give everybody satisfaction. When, however, it was suggested that the whole of the men should procasd to Auckland via Napior everybody was surprised and at a losstoknow why the usunl roots between Wellington and Auckland was abandoned. This is explained on account of the Britannic not being able to get into Oaefeunga. The Mayor, Mr. Dockriil, at once put himself into communication with the ActingPremier, Mr. Ward, and the result of a numbtr of telegrams, all of which have been published, is the one appearing in this issue. The position is exceedingly unsatisfactory, and a visit of the troops even to Wangaani appears to depend en their being billeted there. The qteetien is: what it to be done? Shall we sit calmly down and allow the opportunity to pas? ef securing a visit from the Inperial troops? We fay eerUiily not. Every effort should be made to secure a visit from them. This is a matter which interests every settler north of Wanganui, and we trust His Worship the Mayor will eater a very nfcreog a»d indignant proteat at what is proposed, and ask the Mayors of Pate*, Hawera, and Stratford, aid the chairmen of the local bediefl at Eltbans, Inglewood, and Waitara to jein hjm in bis protest, and in requesting Mr. Ward to try even yet to do justice to thii part of the colony. Mr. Ward speaks of the necessity of the tioops returning to Wellington. This appears to us to be sltogether unnecessary, as there is no reason why the troops should not go from the breakwater. We feel sure the Union Company or the Northern Company would put on one or more steamers to teke them. The time occupied in taking them back <o Wellingi ton will enable them to visit Taranaki and go on to Auckland, icaching there on the same day as those going via. - Napier, As rogards their accommodation in Taranaki, there should be no difficulty. IE they stay the night of Monday at Wanganui they could come on to Hawera on Tuesday, reaching there about midday, making short stays at Waverley and Patea en route. At Hawera they could dine and stay for a couple of hours; indeed there is no reason why 100 of the men should not bo billeted there for the nigh', 50 at Eltbam, 100 at Stratford, 50 etch at Inglewood and Waitara, and j the rsmainiDg 150 in New Plymouth, I all assembling in New Plymouth by moon next day, where they could be 'entertained and reviewed, proceeding 'on to Auckland the tame evening. If the matter is taken up earnestly by the Mayoi g and leading citizens and settlers of Taranaki, we be ieve Mr. Ward . would find a way of giving effect to the , desire of the people hero to secure a ! visit from the tioops to this part of the ; colcny.