The Bush Advocate. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3. THE LOYALTY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XII, Issue 1755, 3 October 1899, Page 2

The Bush Advocate. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3. THE LOYALTY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

» It must be a source of satisfaction to her Majesty the Queen and the Imperial Ministry to note the sterling loyalty exhibited by the inhabitants of the various British colonies, when the Mother Country is threatened with disaster. At the time of the Egyptian war, New South Wales raised and equipped a contingent of volunteers, which were quickly despatched to the theatre of operations. Now, the threatened war in Africa has prompted a similar loyal spirit, and nearly all the colonies are vieing with each other in offering troops to ' quell the Boer insurrection. Singular to rolate the only colony which has shown a taipt of disloyalty is the Cape Colony, which is in close proximity to the Transvaal, the affairs of which are unfortunately directed by a Ministry the Premier of which is Mr Schreinor, whose sympathies are undisguisedly with the Boers. This is much to be regr»tted, and it is to be hoped that Mr Schreiner will- be compelled to elect which master he will serre, and if it be President Kruger, that he will give up the Premiership at the Cape, as there are only too many veiled traitors in Africa. Iu offering volunteers for service at the Transvaal Canada took the lead, and the proposal to send some 1300 volunteers was gladly accepted by the War Office. The Colonies of the Continent of Australia are now considering the advisability of despatching a force of volunteers to the Cape, and in Melbourne alone 1153 members of the Victorian Defence Forces have volunteered. A troop of mountod infuutry is being nlso raised in Queensland, but an effort is being mi\d« to include all the Australian volunteers in one regiment, which would certainly be more imposiug than if cut up into companies. New Zealand, usually being in the front rank of progress, has not ' been behind in offering the services of a detachment of volunteers. Last Thursday in the House of Representatives, the Premier moved, ' That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor requesting him to offer to the Imperial Government, for service in the Transvaal, a contingent of mounted rifles ; and that, in the event of the offer being accepted, the Government be empowered, after selection by the Commander of the Forces, to provide, equip, and despatch the force.' Captain Russell supported the proposal, and with few exceptions members were fully in accord with the motion. The debate was redolent with a strain of loyalty to the Queen and attachment to the Empire, and members urged that provision bo made for the relatives of- those raembera of the contingent who might never return. By 54 votes to 5 the House decided to send 200 mounted rifles to the Transvaal, fully equipped. After the motion was agreed to the enthusiasm of members knew no bounds, and 'God save the Queen' was sung with vigor. In the Legislative Council the proposal was agreed to with one dissentient vote — the Hon Mr Scotland, who seemed most uncomfortable in his dogmatic isolation. The reiult was rsoeived at Home with great cordiality, and the Secretary of Stato for the colonies has telegraphed the Governmsnt that the British Government highly appreciate* the offer of the Legislature of New Zealand i * a contingent for se'rvica in the Transvaal, and that they will gladly avail themselves of this loyul s nd patriotic offir should occasion arise, and that in such an event the earliest possible intimation will bs given. With such spontaneous offers of support the British Government must foel their heavy task lightened. It is no trifliug matter to engage iu a war, but when the cause >'s just, and the Empire is •t ons with the Ministry, then tho responsibility is not so onerous. War is a. most deplorable method of settling quarrols in this enlightened ago, but there are times when desporate acts require desperate remedies. There is wide disaffection at present in Africa, »nd the Boers aro taking the opportunity to endeavor to wrest the Continent from the British Crown. Therefore Great Britain must use means to preserve her integrity, and it is most gratifying to find the colonies prepared to assist the mother country in her emergency.