THE EIGHTH NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10521, 18 December 1901, Page 2

THE EIGHTH NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Sydney Press Views.

Mr Seddoh's Action Eulogised

The Commonwealth urged to

Follow the Example.

Received December 17, 10.22 p.m.

•MELBOURNE, December 17.

The Argus says: — ''The news that troops for South Africa are being raised with enthusiasm in Canada- and Neir Zealand must occasion some searchings of .heart in Australia. The_Jt>road fact presents itself that, while all parts" of the Empire joined in the movement to send troops at the beginning of the war, Australia is standing aloof at the close of the struggle. Is the Federal Government right in saying it -is not for Australia to volunteer assistance, or are the New South Wales and Queensland Premiers right and the Federal Government wrong? .Mr Barton ought to make a' full statement of the Australian situation to the Colonial Office and act on the reply if one of acceptance, and publish the reply if the answer is that aid is unnecessary. We do not want the Mother Country to be thinking 'Well, .after all, at the end Australia hungjbackl"' '' __ _„ -,

Received December "18, 9.40 a.m. :■

SYiDNEY, -December 18;* • ■ The Herald 'says" that Mr Seddon has distinguished himself as being the first in the fiejd to. offer another, contingent. The offer comes as a timely answer to the .taunts of certain Continental .news-

papers. The chorus ofj journalistic approval of Mr Seddon's offer and accompanying remarks received, enables us to realise that the -time has come when the Commonwealth- should 'follow New Zealand'^ example. The reason .why Australian volunteers have not been offering before is that the State authori- ' ties 'are not competent to move as at the outbreak of the war. The matter now only can be taken effectively in hand by the Commonwealth executive, and it is natural that Ministers should wait a definite expression of opinion before committing the States. Mr Seddon is entitled to every credit for his promptitude, but, needless to say, neither New South Wales nor any other State exhibit the slightest hesitation in sending more men. No one who knows anything of the feeling of Australians tolerate suspicion at the present moment there would be no more difficulty in raising fresh troops here than in Canada. The willingness of the War Office to accept our aid is the greatest compliment" that, can be paid us. They hoped the Federal Ministers would see their way in taking action at an 'early date. " ■