ZULUS IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3091, 23 May 1917, Page 5

ZULUS IN FRANCE

' UETEWAYO'S -N'EPfIEW. I do not think that I have ever been so impressed with a sense of why the Allies are bound to win the war than 1 was by the tight of a double lino of South African natives lined u.p tor me to see in one of the many camps which are already occupied by the South African .Native Labour Corps in various parts of the war area (writes Boater's special correspondent from lYauce). In tlie ranks of this motionless array, standing rigidly to attention, were splen-did-looking Zulus, sturdy Basuitos from the Northern Transvaal, and deep-chest-ed Pondos. Willing volunteers, every one of them, who have exchanged their sunny luxuriance for the bitter oheerlcssness of this particularly severe winter in order to do their "bit."

The officer who conducted me round their compound, was a gentleman distinguished in current South African history. Be called three men out of the ranks: one a nephew of Cetewayo, another a eon of Diniznln, the third named Dwalana. I desired him to ask Dwalana whether there'was any message he would like to send to South Africa. His reply, interpreted, was that he and his comrades were proud to be with the great Army of. the Empire in France; that they, were well cared for and happy, and that although the weather had been such as they had never dreamed of before, yet, thanks to plenty of good food, warm clothes, dry huts with bis fires, and a generous supply of blankets, they were getting through it quite well. These natives wear a blue serge uniform not dissimilar from that of the Royal J ratines, with blue cloaks, cowboy hats (frequently adorned, according to taste), ammunition boots, and -puttees. Their daily rations consist of 111b. of mealie. meal, which is made into a very savoury porridge, Jib. of bread, lib. of meat, coffee, and salt. Twice a week they get lib. of vegetables per head, and tobacco and cigarettes are issued. . There is a dry canteen in every compound. The scheme is another of General Botha's great' services to the Empire. The success of the step has been so great and so unaualified that the War Office is asking for it to bo expanded manyfold beyond the original limit. One result of enormous value should be the setting free of a great, number of white labour and permanent base men for other work. Tho natives are segregated upon very much the same plan os in the South African mining compounds. Every effort is made to amuse them; thoy are naturally great singers, and are encouraged to set up smoking concerts. About fc per cent, of them speak English, and the Tost show great keonness to learn to read and write our language. The employment consists of every kind of general military labour. Tho discipline is excellent, the police and sentries being all natives who are unarmed.