Mr Donald Reid in Kent.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3030, 24 January 1899, Page 5

Mr Donald Reid in Kent.

The ' Kent County Examiner ' states : — One of the moat interesting features of the Ashford Cattle Show dinner was the appearance at the festive board of a colonist from New Zealand, who, by a happy inspira- | (Urn, waß asked to respond to the toast of the reserve forces. It la no thia g new to hear, as Mr Reid, the ooloniat referred to, said, that the New Zaalanders are as loyal ab any colonists, but it ia refreshing to hare the fact repeated, and to know that the man who ia making the Antipjdea ia as keenly Interested in tbe Empire's welfare as the man of Kent. The following is Mr Reid'a Bpesch : Mr Reid said that although he was an agriculturist in a land 15,000 miles away from England, the toast waa one whioh had hia entire sympathy. They had no standing Army in New Zealand, but depended on Volunteer^ ; ' ut he would baok tbe colony against any colony in her Majesty* dominions for loyalty— in that respect they played seoond riddle to none. England's success was their hearts' delight— (hear, hear). Tbe speaker went on to say tbat he was In America before thenews of Kitchener's victory arrived, and he had many arguments with Americans as to what tbe result would be, be contending tbat the British forces would win. When it was urged that the enemy were ten to one, his response was : '• Did you ever know the British Army fight on even terme? It has always been from five to ten to one" It would always be the same, but if the Bame patriotic feeling j existed as was apparent tc-day, Britain and civilisation would triumph— (hear, hear) Mr Reid went on to speak of the Buocesa of the Volunteer system in New Zealand, remarking that wherever Britons fought for the right, they would always show the Bam c heroism, whether they were trained soldier* or not. He took It as a great, compliment, as a stranger, to be coupled with the toast of the Army and Navy, whose deeds were ! alwayß received with as great gratification in New Zealand as. -they were in Great Britain— (app'ause).