H.—27b

18

city on the 23rd October, 1899, in which approval is expressed of the policy pursued by Her Majesty's Government in South Africa, and appreciation of the loyal and patriotic spirit of those Canadians who have gone, as Volunteers, to the military assistance of the Mother-country. 2. I have read this resolution with much gratification, and I shall be obliged if you will convey to his Worship the Mayor and to the Corporation my thanks for their kindness in furnishing me with a copy of it. I have, &c, J. Chamberlain.

No. 92.—New Zealand. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor the Earl of Ranfurly. My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th November, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th September last (No. 82), transmitting a resolution passed by the House of Representatives respecting the offer of a contingent of New Zealand Mounted Rifles for service in South Africa, and reporting the arrangements made for the composition and equipment of the force. The patriotic enthusiasm with which the Government and people of New Zealand have taken a share in the defence of Imperial interests in South Africa has been received with warm and sincere gratification by the Government and people of this country; and the promptitude of the arrangements made for the despatch of the contingent has been cordially recognised by the military authorities. I have, &c, J. Chamberlain.

No. 93.—Canada. Governor-General the Earl of Minto to Mr. Chamberlain. (Extract received 2nd November, 1899.) [Answered by No. 95.] Government House, Ottawa, 20th October, 1899. I have the honour, in reply to your cable despatch of the 3rd October (No. 18), to forward a Privy Council Order, authorising the despatch of 1,000 Volunteers to serve with Imperial troops in South Africa. It is intended that this force should be organized as a regiment of two battalions, and that it should be commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Otter, an excellent officer, who served with distinction in the North-west Campaign in 1885, and is at present commanding the Toronto district. For information of the War Office I attach copies of Militia Orders (one only printed), which will explain the lines on which the force is being composed. My Government is in treaty with the Allan Line Company for the use of the s.s. " Sardinian," which it is calculated will be capable of conveying the whole contingent, and she is expected to sail from Quebec on the 31st instant.

Enclosure 1 in No. 93. Extract from a Report of the Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by His Excellency on the 14th October, 1899. The Committee of the Privy Council have had under consideration a despatch, dated the 3rd October, 1899 (No. 18), from the Right Hon. Mr. Chamberlain. The Right Hon. Sir Wilfred Laurier, to whom the said despatch was referred, observes that the Colonial Secretary, in answer to the offers which have been sent to him from different parts of Canada expressing the willingness and anxiety of Canadians to serve Her Majesty's Government in the war which for a long time has been threatening with the Transvaal Republic, and which, unfortunately, has actually commenced, enunciates the conditions under which such offers may be accepted by the Imperial authorities. Those conditions may be practically summed up in the statement that a certain number of Volunteers, by units of 125 men, with a few officers, will be accepted to serve in the British army now operating in South Africa the moment they reach the coast, provided the expenses of their equipment and transportation to South Africa are defrayed either by themselves or by the Colonial Government. The Prime Minister, in view of the well-known desire of a great many Canadians who are ready to take service under such conditions, is of opinion that the moderate expenditure which would thus be involved for the equipment and transportation of such Volunteers may readily be undertaken by the Government of Canada without summoning Parliament, especially as such an expenditure under such circumstances cannot be regarded as a departure from the well-known principles of constitutional government and colonial practice, nor construed as a precedent for future action. Already, under similar conditions, New Zealand has sent two companies, Queensland is about to send 250 men, and West Australia and Tasmania are sending 125 men each. The Prime Minister, therefore, recommends that out of the stores now available in the Militia Department the Government undertake to equip a certain number of Volunteers, not to exceed 1,000 men, and to provide for their transportation from this country to South Africa, and that the Minister of Militia make all necessary arrangements to the above effect. The Committee advise that your Excellency be moved to forward a certified copy of this minute to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. All of which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency's approval. John J. McGee, Clerk of the Privy Council.