The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 32, 9 February 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1901. THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

The visit of the Imperial troops to New [Plymouth having bean finally abandoned, it now remains for the people of this district t:> make the beat use of the facilities affuHod for seeing them at the nearest available point. It will I be seen th.it special trains will run a' | excursion rates. The trains are timed so as to give as much time as possible to people travelling by them. Although the disappointment here will be very keen, it is very satisfactory to find that the Hon. J. G. Ward has done all that he could, and that the bkme for their not coming lies with the commanding officer Colonel Wyndham. One could oasily imagine bow difficult it must be for a total stranger like he is to understand the position of affairs here. No doubt he is considerably hampered by 'he strict ziatuie of his instructions frcm the Imperial Government, and we ujll know the sort of animal ths Imperial oseer is. No doubt Colonel Wyndham fears tJaat if he allows his officers and men into the wil<Js of Taranaki he would never see th»m again, and it is hardly to be expected that he would be able to realise the position ef affairs in New Zealand on such a short acquaintance A great many people | appear to fail to' realise the significance of the visit of these troops to the colonies. The visit is, perhaps, next to the visit of members of the Royal Family, tho greatest compliment which it was possible for the late Qu?dn to pay her loving cpjonjal subjects. Apurfc from the splendid appearance of the men and the fact that so much interest is attached to them as representatives of every portion of the great. British Army, their presence in Now Zealand was intended as a special mark of good-will on the part of our Jate Que«n, The hearty reception which they h»va so far Received is an indication of the manuer in which the people of New Zealand have appreciated the Queen's consideration. We hive no doubt but that wherevsr the people of the colony have tie oppoitunity they will give them the same hearty reception. Of course many who are anxious to see them will not be able to take the long train to Wangaganni they will he there in spiri*, and the vvholo people will join in wishing them a plejsant and prosperous trip th'ough tho colony. It is a pity that the Union and Northern Stoamship Co. cannot see their way to run steamers to Ouehunga at excursion rates. With the British and Indian troops all together in Auckland, there is an opportunity that it is safe to say will never occur again of seeing one of the grandest military displays ever seen in the history of the colony.