THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11565, 31 January 1901, Page 6

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS .

1 ■ "V ■,:■■ ; ■ ■■■ ■■ -'•: ,■•:■,•:•- ■:;• ..".,.- I : VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND. . ■■ \ ■V- - — • . ■ DATE OF ARRIVAL ALTERED. The Mayor (Mr. D.Goldie) received ' tlj. following telegram from the Hon. J, Q •• Ward yesterday your information ' '' I think it only right to inform you early this morning that the reported stoppage of the Britranic with the Imperial troops in Melbourne is only temporary. I received official advice last night of the temporary stoppage, and also that the visit is still to '■ be made. The delay in Melbourne will, in ' my opinion, - render it impossible for the steamer to arrive by Saturday, which was at first arranged. >■ Under the altered ' cir- ' cumstances I think possibly it would be better for all parties if the 'date of arrival can be deferred until the following week '■' This will, of course, alter % the dates "',£ | arrival at the other centres* throughout the colony. In any case, as soon as lamin a position to advise you definitely, you can depend upon it being done,(Signed) J. Q. Ward." - On the question of billeting the Imperial ' I troops, a somewhat unseemly contention , - I has arisen in Wellington between the Mayor. ;of that city and the Acting-Premier. Judging by what we have heard, we do not think that there would be any difficulty in finding accommodation for the men in 'Auckland." [BY TELEGBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dtjnedin, Wednesday. : Messrs. Dalgety and Co. have received intimation that the Britannic, with th? Im- ' perial soldiers, will leave Melbourne tomorrow, and may be expected to reach the Bluff on the morning of Monday, February " 4, and Port Chalmers the same evening. Up to the present offers have been made by private citizens to billet in their own homes. over 700 of the -Imperial troops. ■, . -' ■■■ ■■■■ -■- -■- -'•- - .■■ -':'-

AN UNSEEMLY DIFFERENCE. [by telegraph.-— association*.] Wellington, Wednesday. There is trouble here between the Mayor ' • (Mr. Aitken) and the Acting-Premier (Mr. - Ward) in the entertainment . • of the Imperial troops. Mr-. Ward inti- ' mated, to the Mayor that the troops could, if necessary, be accommodated on the troopship, but that it would be more agreeable .to v them if arrangements could be made to billet, say, IGOO troops, for two nights, with citizens, and that accommodation should be provided for 50 officers, at the best hotels. The Mayor- replied that he would be glad fffei to assist in welcoming the troops, but that he could not call on the citizens to pay for any portion of the entertainment. " The troops had been invited by the Government, and they were the guests of the Government. Mr. Ward then put an advertise- . ment in the papers asking the citizens who . were prepared to -find room for individual members of the contingent for one night to send in their names to the Commander of the Forces. The suggestion of the Government has met with the hearty co-operation ■ of the Dunedin Corporation, and Mr. Ward has been informed by the Mayor that the ' proposal has been taken up by the best people there, and that every man of the Imperial representatives could be housed. He also hinted that the lukewarm of the Mayor of Wellington had helped the ". movement rather than otherwise. .The Mayor of Wellington makes no secret of his , ' annoyance and indignation at the turn af- | fairs hare taken, and considers he has been %M j very cavalierly treated by the Acting-Pre-j mier. Mr. Aitken considers the Govern- > ment's proposal to billet the troops amongst the populace most unmilitary and objectionable, and refuses to believe that the- Im- .' perial officers will allow their men to be ;; scattered far and wide in this unusual way. When interviewed to-day the acting-head of the Government said he had no intention of overriding the Mayor's functions in any way, but owing to the manner in which his suggestion had been received he could adopt ' . no other course than to directly appeal to the people to co-operate in making the wel- ; come of the Imperial troops cordial and thorough. Mr- Ward has also announced "' that the New Zealand Commandant had cabled to the officer commanding the Imperial troops stating that it might be necessary to billet troops in the various centres, and that no objection had been taken to the proposal so far, and there the matter rests at present, so far as the Empire City is concerned. The movement has been taken up by one or two prominent citizens, notwithstanding the Mayor's attitude, and offers to billet troops have already been received - by Colonel Penton. ;;