COLONEL FOX CRITICISED

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 35

COLONEL FOX CRITICISED

Special to the “Times.” CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. . lhe "Lyttelton Times” of this morning, referring to the command of the third contingent, says:—We cannot congratulate Colonel Fox upon the tone 9* , e . el 4 er h 0 has addressed to his Worship the Mayor in regard to the command .of the third contingent. Even if we take the colonel at his own estimate, that there are few as competent as he is both in knowledge and experience for the command, we may well question the propriety of any candidate saying to the Minister of Defence, Appoint me within forty hours, or I will withdraw my offer.” The spirit that animated the commanders of the first and second contingents was very different. They did not attempt to dictate terms to the Minister or talk ‘ in pubi c about the sacrifices, they were required to make. They simplv set about their duties, with a quiet determination to show themselves worthy of the confidence they had received. ’ If a man is really anxious to serve his country, he does not seek an excuse for quarrelling. with its Government. When Major Cradock was disappointed la ’’’e application for the command of the first contingent, he did not complain that he had been treated with. scant courtesy” by the Ministry, or imply that a less competent man had be . ea ?el f ct ? d in his place. He accept- • decision without a murmur, and m this way showed one very important qualification for the command of the second contingent. Of course everyone knows that Colonel Fox is a very excellent soldier, but we doubt if the qualities.he- lias betrayed in his letter to the Mayor are just those that are required, in the leader of a company of rough-riders. Nor do we remember thqt the. colonel displayed any particu;a? ‘•mount of tact while he was Commander of the colonial forces. Indeed our recollection is that he managed to throw a great deal of cold water on the \ ohmteer movement at a, time when it should have been specially encouraged. In the present case he has lent 22 assistance to the committee of the War blind by importing the suspicion ot political bias into the appointment of the commander of the third contingent