HONOURS FOR "BOBS."

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 234, 2 October 1900, Page 4

HONOURS FOR "BOBS."

The, military idol of the nation is Commander-in-Chief. Lord Beforrls has on his birthday been appointed To the highest post in his profession at the disposal of the British nation. It is a just reward, a.nd will be welcomed in every land where English, Irish, Scotchmen, and their descendants, foregather. Doubtless it will also strengthen the Conservatives in the elections. No man in our a,rmiy has had a more distinguished career than the successor, as Comim&nder-in-Chkf of Lord Wolseley. Born at Cawmpore in 1832; son of a ma.n who had made his mark in the army, young Roberts was a second lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery at 19. He served through •the Indian Mutiny a. few years later, and since hjs record has been one of signal service to 'his country in many wars: His successful and humane conduct, of the South African campaign has been the climax of a magnificent record in the tented field; No individual deserves greater honour at 'the hands of the nation. While 'sentiment weighs largely with us, at the same time the fact should not be lost sight of that no more capable m<a,n*is available to undertake the reorganisa ion of our army that all critics coincide in

agreeing it badly needs. The probabilities are that though, the Field Marshal is well advanced in years, his country will yet be more deeply indebted to him than at present..

This is one of those occasionswwenh en we can depend on our Premier doing the right thing, and that no one will criticise his cable of hearty congratulations from all New Zealandfps, even though it professes to include every colonist, we may rest assured.