NEGLECTED SOLDIERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12531, 19 June 1901, Page 6

NEGLECTED SOLDIERS.

Wb notice, fiat tie Premier ha® telegraphed to “The New Zealand Times ’» from Auckland, asking that journal to give an “emphatic contradiction” to our assertion, that ,the preparations for the Royal visit have diverted the attention of the Defence authorities from the Contingents still serving in South Africa. We do not know exactly why Mr Seddion should have entrusted.; this duty to ■' our contemporary, without letting us know anything about the displeasure we are said to have, occasioned him; hut, of course, we are very glad to be assured that his interest in the colony’s representatives has not been lessened by his necessary attendance upon the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. At the same time, we cannot help feeling that there was some ground for our ’ complaint. It will be remembered that we pointed out that, though the departure of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents had been fixed for the beginning of the month, nothing further had been, heal’d, of them up to the time at which wo were; writing. This morning we learn that they will arrive in Wellington in little more than a fortnight, and it is obvious that they must havebeen actually on their journey when we ventured to remind the DefencaJ Office of their existence. As for the omission to supply information concerning individual members of the Contingents, we readily admit that this may have been due to unavoidable circumstances, but it is a little unfortunate that two rather flagrant cases of this kind should have occurred in Canterbury in- one week. No one can doubt Mr Seddon’s own interest in the colony’s representatives; the Premier has been most attentive, both to the men and to their friends; but probably the Imperial officers in Cape Town have little sympathy with his kjndly efforts. They are not accustomed to persons in high places concerning themselves about the welfare of common soldiers. We hope, however, that Mr Seddon will insist upon these gentlemen supplying all the information that can be reasonably- demanded,; |