THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 34

THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Ia appealing for the extension of civic hospitality to* the British and Indian soldiers who are, by permission of th * Imperial Government, on the way to visit ns before retaining to their own country, the Acting-Premier has asked the citizens of Wellington to comply voluntarily with a custom forced upon every city in time of war all over the of Europe. It is the euateM in every campaign for troops to h'j billeted on the citizens in every town they occupy. All comply as a matter of course —allies with a good grace, enemies with different feelings. Never, however, has there been an occasion like this. ' The soldiers are our visitors, at our pressing invitation, and they should receive • hospitable treatment. Many citizens have declared that they would likei to extend this hospitable treatment to their visitors personally, so far as their means will permit. Mr Ward; on his side, feeling that by making the visitors comfortable tbe citizens will at the samd time do credit to themselves and their city, has. accepted the offers made, and invited the citizens as a whole to take part in this truly genial act of hospitality. It is noteworthy that Mr Ward has made his proposal lo the citizens direct, not through the customary representative channel. The Mayor,of course, is the head of the citf. In this matter, however, of the Imperial

contingents there appears to have been some personal misunderstanding. We conclude from the line taken by the Acting-Premier that he must have felt that under the circumstances no other course was left to him than the one he has taken of appealing diretetly to the citizens. It is matter for regret • but as the visiting troops are not at hand, there is yet time to spare for the removal of misunderstandings, as there is no room for criticism or blame. The citizens will do well to remember that nothing should be allowed to delay Lae all-important work of organising suitable and substantial hospitality for the visitors invited for their special benefit. Before the credit of the city every consideration must give way. After that is maintained there will be plenty of time for leisurely explanation and h9ai*tv hand-shaking. For the present the chief consideration is the comfort of the visitors ; and assuming that their officers will consent to their being privately lodged and entertained no more hearty demonstration of hospitality could be devised than the proposed private and voluntary “billeting.”.