A GREAT EPITAPH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24050, 22 August 1941, Page 4

A GREAT EPITAPH

Sir, —About 33 years ago ! stood on Waggon Hill, just outside Ladysmith, Natal, and at my side was the monument raised in memory of the men of the Imperial Light Horse who fell in the severe light which took place there in the early stages of the Boer War. Here is what was carved on it:— Tell England, ye who pass this way, we who died Fisrhlinc for tier, rest here content. 1 was not dead, hut living, and, far from being content, my soul was filled with bitterness, for the reins of government had been handed over to the Dutch! It was a tremendous act of faith in the integrity of those who had signed the Treaty of Verccningen. Then came 1.914., and those two great generals, Botha and Smuts, tackled a rebellion planned and aided by Germany, crushed it. and made the coaling and cable stations in South Africa safe, so that, troops from India could call at the ports and direct communication be maintained with Britain. Mv mood was changed to one of thankfulness that the daring experiment was vindicated. Again in this war Field-Marshal Smuts, now a great statesman, as well as a soldier, had the courage to unmask the neutrality masqueraders and counter their moves, and. with ceaseless watchfulness, frustrate the evil plans of fifth columnists. 1 think the British Empire is under a great debt of gratitude for this Jealty of a former foe, and can "rest content." J.F.S.