THE COLONIAL FORCES IN ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10900, 6 September 1897, Page 4

THE COLONIAL FORCES IN ENGLAND.

The following are the teems of a, despatch ssnt to the colonial Governors by the Right Hoa. J. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonie3 :— • . Downing street, July 16, 1897. My Lord, —The time has arrived for the 'denartute from this country of the various component units of the rernarfcabie. military assemblage which has constituted one of the most striking features of the rscenfe Jubilee celebrations ; and I cannot allow this occasion to pass without expressing the great satisfaction 6t her Majesty's TEoverniaent that such a unique and characteristic' gathering of her Majesty's colonial forces should have been so successfully brought about. 2. The colonial troops hava attracted the marked attention not only of the British public, j but; of military experts of all nations ; and by their soldier-like bearing.and appearance, and their discipline and general behaviour, both on | parade and in quarter*, they have 17011 the I highest opinions on all sides. I 3. Her Majesty's colonial forces, during their I stay in England, have been treated in all respects as regular soldiers, they have readily and cheerfully conformed to every requirement of regimental and barrack discipline, and by an intimate- \ association with the comrades of h6r Mejesty!s regular forces, have become acquainted' with every, detail of a soldier's life. •• ■•:-• ••■ ■■■'■■ .- ; .; '"'"■■

4-. It has been a iiarfcieular satisfaction to hoc Majesty's Government that this great occasion has been ths means of bringing together men of all creeds and of all rases, who, although coming, as many of them have done, from widely separated portions of the Empire, are all uDited, by one bond of allegiance, as soldiers of her Majesty the Queen Empress. 5. Her Majesty's Government feel that, they are justified in. hoping that the effects o£ tbis exceptional military gathering will be permanent, and that • the Imperial and national interests, which have been by this means 60 forcibly illustratsd and ' brought home to the minds of all classes of her Majesty's subject?, will now be realised in a manner that has been scarcely possible before. They can hardly doubt that the event? of the last few weeks will have done much to knit closer the bonds of union between the colonies and the mother country, and to this end the presence of the colonial troops will have largely contributed. ' 6. I will "ouly ■ add, in conclusion, the expression of my hopo that the troops will carry with them to their homes plcaeaat memories of their visit, and that their stay in this country will have proved not only agreeable but instructive, and 1 feel confident that fn years to come it will be a source of pride and satisfaction to those who are no>v le^yieg our shores to think that they have taken part in this great and importaat national demonstration. 7. I shall be glad if you will publish this despatch. I have the honour to be, my Lord; your Lordship's moat obedient humble servant, J. Chamberlain.