TUESDAY, JANUARY 21. A NINTH CONTINGENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7367, 21 January 1902, Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21. A NINTH CONTINGENT.

At a meeting hold in the Borough Chambers some two years ago, a speaker declared that even if a Ninth and Tenth Contingent should be re quired, there would be no difficulty in raising it, but of those who heard and approved the sentiment few thought it within the range of probability that any beyond a third would be required. However, to day the colony is preparing to send another thousand men, and the Ninth Contingent, we venture to say, will be raised easily enough. It is not that New Zealand likes to see its young men going, nor is there to-day much of the excitement which prevailed at the time of the raising of the First. The position is that the rulers of the Empire have intimated that they would be glad of another contingent, and there can in honor be no holding back, even if there were a latest disposition to do so> which we do not believe exists. The South African affiir has developed into a natioual crisis for the British people not because there is any doubt as to the issue, nor because the Government ig at any loss for men or money, but because the circumstances have for the firat time in history practically tested the loyalty of the colonies and their readiness on invitation to voluntarily and freely find men. to assist in fighting the Empire's bat'.les. The Empire's call is paramount, and though it involve ea:rific9 ilie response will be unhesitating. A high sense of duty is ono of the traditions of tho race, and the colonies are displaying more rf this great characteristic now than they did when in the rush of enthusiasm they sent aw y their first contingents. There may have been some jingoism in the burst of feeling which arose at the outbreak of tbe war; but it is patriotism and a sanse of responsibility which sustains after two years' war, and it is in thi3 spirit that the Ninth Contingent will be raised and sent.