NEW ZEALANDERS APPRECIATED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 30

NEW ZEALANDERS APPRECIATED.

WELLINGTON, October 1. During his speech on Saturday the Premier said that Lord Roberts had practically - admitted, in a communication to the Governor, that upon the employment of i'lie ■Jtfew Zealand contingent m&n as police tdie •pacification of Soii'tb Africa to an extent depended. Speaking of the resource of ■tine men whom this colony had sent to the front Mr 'Seddon' said that when volunteer* '■ were called for to tap the telegraph lines ja dozsn men at once stepped forward and - jproffered their services. At the co3iimenceanent of the war the Government had communicated with -l.he High Commissioner a certain number of men to assist in working the South African railways. They had received rather a cold reply, . tetating 'that the communication had been received, and that a definite reply would fee made later on. Subsequently another communication was leceived in a 'lather apologetic tone, saying that they could do •with 20 men, ab wages ranging very much 3ower than those ruling in -New Zealand. 'Of course, that was pigeon-holed, but the •other day when he (intimated that New 'Zealander^ must be sent back as they had gone, the Governor received a pathetic appeal from the High Commissioner, in which tie said that he hoped that the young men • who had been taken frcm the contingents for railway services would be allowed to •remain. This, said Mr Seddon, spoke - volumes for our young New Zealanders.