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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7270, 7 March 1885, Page 4

The intimation which appears to-day as having been made by the Colonial Office to the South Australian Government shows that the Imperial authorities have now formally decided to accept the offer of war contingents from all the colonies that desire to make them. A day or two ago it was announced by the Duke of Cambridge in the Honse of Lords that no great delay would take place on the part of the military authorities in coming to a definite conclusion on the matter, and the message communicated to Adelaide seems to indicate that their decision is of the nature just stated. The telegram says that if the colony of South Australia will independently or conjointly deepatoh a force in time to arrive at Suakiin in September its service will be gladly accepted. That means unmistakeably that, whether in combination or otherwise, should these colonies desire to make common cause with England in her present military emergencies, their contributions in men and money would be highly appreciated by the British public. This will undoubtedly impart a fresh impulse to the desire of the inhabitants of all these colonies to follow the example so nobly set them by the people of New South Wales. The date at which the forces the several Governments may desire to send are required to arrive at Suakim will give them ample time to make the necessary arrangements. This will also remove one of the reasons which the New Zealand Government assigned for their declining to adopt any measures for raising a contingent in this colony, namely, the impossibility of its being forward to take part in any operations likely to be soon undertaken. The latest advices

from Korti show that the idea of. a summer campaign has been practically abandoned, and that no immediate operations, unless forced on by the rebele, are contemplated along the Suakim route. The Ministry will thus be enabled to place the matter before Parliament in May. Meanwhile, they can give en-" couragement to those desirous of volunteering their services to meet, according to the plan mentioned in the correspondence between parties in Dunedin and Auckland which we published a few days ago, and practise drill together prior to their embarkation. It will be seen that, in the message to the South Australian Government, considerable stress is laid on this point, and it may be inferred that due importance will be attached to it by the New Zealand Government. The telegrams of to-day conveying the impression made on the mind of Her Majesty the Queen and that of the English public generally by the account of the departure of the New South Wales contingent, and the enthusiasm displayed by the people, give us an idea of the immense effect which this spontaneous movement on the part of tho colonies has produced in England. No more pleasing evidence could be wished for of the thoroughness with which it has served to bind all parts of the Empire together ; and, notwithstanding the hard utilitarianism of some of her colonists, it is to be hoped that New Zealand will take an honourable part in cementing this union.