SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVES FOR FRANCE.
10,000 TO BE EMPLOYED AT DOCK WORK. Pretoria. September 8. A 'theme for a native labor contingent for Europe was announced to-day. General Botha, i n the course of 'a message to the natives, pays a tribute to the good work which the'v have done m South Africa, South-West Africa and East Africa, assisting in the prosecution of hostilities. He says that the natives have often expressed a desire to be allowed to help overseas, and that accordingly, at the request of the Imperial Government, it has been arranged for five battalions, each of 2000 men, to proceed to France to do dock labor. General Botha emphasises the exact 'conditions of recruiting. It must, he sayo, be explained to the natives that they will form a military, unit under military discipline, but that they will not take part in the fighting. They will be housed in closed compounds. Each battalion will be under the direct control of the most highly-trusted' officers, who will see to the welfare and comfort of the natives and take such steps as are necessary to avoid the possible ill-effects on the natives of employment under strange conditions. Each battalion will have its chaplain and it; own medical officers, and a fully-equipped hospital will he provided for the contingent. Johannesburg, September 9. It is probable that Mr. Ohara, Mayor of Jonar.nes'burg, a Bristol man, who served in the Imperial Light Horse during the Boer war, will command the native contingent.
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Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1916, Page 2
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249SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVES FOR FRANCE. Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1916, Page 2
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