AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 14 December 1901, Page 3

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

PROPOSED EIGHTH CONTINGENT (Special to Timms.) i Auckland, last night. This evening’s Star deals at length witl reference to His Excellency Lord Ran furly’s suggestion to send an Eighth Con tingent to South Africa. The Star agree; with the Governor when ho expresses tin opinion that united effort should bo made at once to have a largo number ol mounted infantry poured into the Transvaal, to overrun the country and put an end at once and for all to the guerilla warfare, which was almost brigandage. “ Conscience is really pricking us a little with respect to our present attitude towards the South African war,” continues the article. 11 No part of the Empire has been more united or louder in declarations that the war must bo pushed on vigorously to a triumphant end, but these protestations are somewhat vain, and perhaps a little hypocritical when they involve no scintilla of self-sacrifice, but consist merely in a patriotic resolve to shed the last drop of other people’s blood, and to spend the last shilling of English taxpayers’ money. A supremo effort is needed to put down speedily the guerilla warfare which has degenerated almost into a species of organised brigandage. It would bo found infinitely cheaper and more merciful to double the mounted forces in South Africa than keep a country in a turmoil for an indefinite period by employing an inadequate force, and if the colonies can assist in this needful work they should do so with promptitude and cheerfulness. The whole Empire has gained in strength from the practical demonstration of its essential unity, which was afforded by the despatch of former colonial contingents, and it would be a pity to allow this substantial advantage to be frittered away through any manifestation of niggardliness. Now, no doubt, the situation is less critical, but it is still critical enough, because the heavy financial strain must cripple the effective force of the Empire, and who can tell what European crisis may arise calling for the employment of nil Britain’s energies to maintain her place and her prestige in the control of tho world's affairs. She is almost without a friend in Europe, and it is only by her own strong right-arm that she can hope to hold those possessions which have been won by tho daring enterprise of her sons in tho past. PRAISE FOR GISBORNITES. Conversing with a returned lieutenant of ' tho Seventh Contingent to-day, ho termed tho Gisborne members of that Contingent ! a brave and tough lot. I GISBORNITES AT THE FRONT. ; In a letter received from South Africa ‘ yesterday, an ex-Gisbornito writing states \ that among the many Gisbornites campaigning in South Africa is Mr H. Simeon, son of the late Colonel Simeon, Gisborne. Mr Simeon is attached to tho Johannesburg Mounted -Rifles.