The Third Contingent.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3538, 23 January 1900, Page 3

The Third Contingent.

DEFENCE OF THE COLON Y. The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times had an interview with tho Premier on the above subjects, from the report of which we make the following extracts = — Asked the intentions of the Government with respect to the despatch of a third contingent, the Premier said the position taken up by tho Government with respect to a third contingent is that the public must provide the cost of equipment, including a horse and £SO per man and £25 cost of transport. Outside this sum tho expenses will be borne by the Government. “ We will arrange,” said Mr Seddon, “for shipment, and so forth, and will pay the men the difference between the Imperial pay and what we are now paying to those serving in the first and second contingents. Our veterinary surgeons will pass the horses, and the officers commanding the districts will pass the men. The commander of the forces will, as in the case of the first and second contingents, have entire charge, but the selection of the men will bo in the hands of those who find the money. I presume that 250 men will form the third contingent, and up to the present there seems a prospect of 100 men and funds for their equipment and transport being provided. We have chartered a steamer, and she is to be here durng the first week in February, and wall probably take her departure for South Africa during the middle of the mouth. Recognising what Canterbury is doing in the way of farthering the despatch of a third contingent, you can intimate that there will he a public “send off” from Lyttelton of the Canterbury detachment. It goes without saying that there will again be a demonstration in Wellington as the final port of embarkation.” “ It is reported,” I said, “ that you claim that the defences of the colony are now

a sufficiently forward state. Will you give me some' idea of what has been done with regard to the defences generally dining the past few mouths ? ” “We are taking steps,” replied Mr Seddon, “ to increase the supply of rifles and ammunition for field guns, and large guns have been ordered from England. Our vote last year, although the largest vote yet taken for defence purposes, is more than exhausted, and from the present outlook the unauthorised expenditure will bo touched on to the extent of .£20,000 during the current financial year. The additional rifles ordered are magazines. As to the portfolio of Defence nothing will be definitely settled until the present trouble with the Transvaal is over, but in the meantime I shall retain control of the portfolio. We have also decided to increase the number of volunteers, the present parliamentary vote for which provides for 8000 men. We have decided to accept the services of a number of mounted and country corps in different parts of the which had been previously rejected on the advice of the commander of the forces. The developments now taking place demonstrate the necessity for a reserve, from which the colony can draw in case of emergency. Nelson and Marlborough, for instance, have been looked upon as being out of the general line of defence to some extent, yet the Tutanekai left here yesterday morning and landed 300 men from there under twelve hours.”