PROPOSED NINTH CONTINGENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 16, 20 January 1902, Page 5

PROPOSED NINTH CONTINGENT.

NEW ZEALAND ASKED FOR ANOTHER 1000 MEN.

| (By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

f GISBORNE, this day. '": The Premier has addressed the following circular telegram to members of Parliament: "His Majesty's Government have by cable just to hand informed the New Zealand Government that another contingent of 1000 men would gladly be accepted on the same terms as the Eighth, and without expense to the colony. It will no doubt be apparent to you that this further Empire's call would not be made unless the men were required. Kindly wire your views.—R. J. SEDDON."

(By TelegTaph.—Own Co-respondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Premier received a cable yesterday from the Secretary of State intimating- that the Imperial Government would gladly accept another contingent of a thousand men. There can be only one reply to this, as they would not be asked for unless required. It is satisfactory to know that the colony will be able to meet the emergency by responding cheerfully to tills further Empire's call. No doubt the Government will follow the usual course in dealing with the application, but I feel confident that an affirmative answer will be returned.

It is believed here that a determined effort is to be made to close the war as soon as possible for fear of other complications. In asking New Zealand first, the Imperial Government have trusted to receive

a reply in the affirmative, which means further contributions from Canada and Australia. I note that there have been instructions for the Yeomanry at Home, but I sup-pose the War Office knows as well as we -do that one colonial is worth half-a--dozen Yeomen in the particular class of war now going on in South Africa, and in doing that which is re-

quired, namely, to follow up the Boers and thus fight them in their own fashion, to give us the first call is a feather in our cap. and our immediate response will put us a Long

way ahead