For the Empire’s Sake.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXII, 31 May 1902, Page 1093

For the Empire’s Sake.

LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A PREMIER ON TOUR.

I I Beyond acknowledging his I | indebtedness to wireless I | telegraphy, the editor does | I not feel at liberty to disclose i | the source of the interesting | communication which fol- | lows, the securing of which | is perhaps the most reniark- | able “scoop" vet made in | the history of New Zealand | journalism.

Durban. South Africa. May 19.—T was disappointed in my first impressions of Durban; the place appears depressing; there was not the crowd on the wharf that T expected. And in the streets, it was so different from New Zealand; so many folks did not seem to kniow me. Even those to whom T was introduced were obviously preoccupied with other matters. What a terrible thing is war! How it distracts people's minds. This was borne home on me most forcibly on setting foot in Africa. . . . Had a few* cables from New Zealand, and heard the general news <of the world, including the terrible Martinique disaster. Hope our colony wont blow’ up some day. It's a comforting thought that I have to a large extent provided against that possibility by the investment of my capital at Home. Ward cables quite cheerfully about the progress of events — too cheerfully, confound him, for my entire satisfaction. I'm sometimes sorrv that I didn't leave Tam Duncan in charge. Tn one way I’d have felt easier. Joe's too smart Seems that I have Just arrived at a most opportune moment here. The general opinion is that peace will be declared before long. The Boer leaders are at Vereeniging discussing the position. I have instructed Thompson to pack my smallest portmanteau and be ready to start Tor the front to-morrow. What a scoop if I should get there just as the last shot is fired. I'll be looked upon in New Zealand as a sort of white-winged minister of peace. You’ll never persuade the West Coast that I wasn’t the author of the peace if it should come

off while l"ni in South Africa, anil I’m not the one to try to undeceive them. May 20th: I'm writin" this in my railway carriage on my way to Pretoria. Tn view of the attempt on my life by the pro-Rtoers on board ship— I haven’t breathed a syllable of the nffafr to anyone—l am. not unnaturally. a trifle uneasy. T would have preferred to travel in an armoured train instead of the ordinary one, and did think of suggesting it to the authorities here, but on second thoughts decided to say nothing and take all the precautions I could. Consequently. as soon as the train started. Thompson and I made a very thorough examination of the carriage, looking below the seats and under the cushions. So far we have discovered nothing suspicious. Of course, we are individually powerless to prevent attempts from without, such as the derailing or dynamiting of the train. I must trust to Providence to protect me there. Nevertheless we keep a sharp look-out from the windows. All this rather handicaps me in the way of seeing the country; but to tell the truth. I’m not so very much interested in Natal, through which we are now passing. I shall be much more anxious to see the Orange State where, perhaps, my

future destiny lies. By the way. I must see Steyn and get, all the information I can out of him about the Orange State. It’ll be useful in coming to a decision if I am asked to choose by the King. Certainly, I said in New Zealand, that the colony was my home, and I meant to stay there —“close my days in peace at Kumara” sort of business. I should smile! Besides. I’m not going to close my days just yet. if I know It, and a Governorship in South Africa opens up possibilities to a man like me that New Zealand can never offer. The work of Cecil Rhodes is not yet finished, and there is a vast continent as against two small islands to work on. Still, that’s between you and myself, diary dear. I am only noting down these reflections for amusement. These pages must never see the light. [An intention which has been frustrated by the enterprise of this journal. —Ed. “Graphic.”] There

a curious passage »»i one oi narcis telegrams that I can't understand. He quotes a sentence that apjiears in this diary word for word. Curious coincidence. There may be something in telepathy. . . . At wayside stations, when the train stops, L show myself to the folks on

the platform. It may be a trifle foolhardy. but I'd risk a good deal for the satisfaction it gives the people. Besides, I stand behind the wire screen of the carriage, and let Thompson stroll on the platform. He has taken some snapshots of me in my khaki suit surveying the crowd. I hope they'll come out well. I don't create the sensation I had expected. The war. as I said before, has evidently upset people's minds. How different railway travelling in South Africa is to the system in my colony. They may have just as good a permanent way and rolling stock; they travel fast, and the appointments are admirable. but one misses—at least I do—the eager homage of the population to which I have grown accustomed whenever I went abroad by rail. .JOHANNESBURG. May 21. -The news from the front is more reassuring every day. 1 fully believe we shall have peace, and I'll be in the thick of it. What luck! Am wiring Io Ward telling him the South Contingent of the Tenth had better hurry up or they will be too late. Have inspected the Eighth and found them all well. Although I say it. they seemed very pleased to see me. My voice reminded them more of NewZealand than anything they had heard in South Africa, one man told me. Of course. 1 made a speech, and got some rather good things off my chest. I told them about dear old New Zealand, and the Empire, ami their mothers, and their sweethearts, ami their wives; ami reminded them that I was the first person who had suggested the blockhouse system to which more than anything else they owed the near approach of peace. Thanks to Fitchett. I was also able to remind them of the glories of Waterloo and the rest, and 1 think 1 put in some military hints that rather

staggered Ilainilton. Wilson ami Ba dvn-Powell. who were with me, ami no doubt thought f was a mere civilian ignorant of their trade. I fancy I opened their eyes. VEREF.NIGING. May 23. Got here this morning. Six of the Boer delegates have gone to Pretoria to confer with Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener on the conditions of peace. Would like to have a cut in myself, but doubt whether I would be prudent to interfere at this stage. Kitchener ami Milner might get narked. Perhaps they'll allow me to make a speech as a contribution towards the negotiation. I d remind tin* delegates of their mothers and their sweethearts and their wives, and the Empire of course. LATER. I inspected the Ninth, ami am very pleased with their soldierly bearing. If I remain in South Africa I mean after the Coronation I should like to get a company of New Zealanders for my bodyguard. Must see they don't all go back in the event of peace. Shall countermand order for return if necessary. The talk here is all of peace -its possibility, probability and so forth. 'l'he Ninth associate my presence here with tin present favourable aspect of things. Heaven knows I’m as innocent of the peace as I was of the war. but it's gratifying to find the above impression abroad. 1 trust it will spread. Some of my New- Zealand utterances with regal’d to the war that unfortunate Papawai speech— have been thrown at me here. I have had to fall back more than once on that metaphorical old rascal of a Maori chief. PRETORIA. May 23. Met Milner and Kitchener to-day. Good sort Milner. Reminds me in some things of Bill Reeves. Kitchener. I should say. knows his business. But they're nothing when it comes to making speeches. I perceived, after I had been with them ten minutes, that I could talk their heads off. 'This feeling gives one confidence. Milner said something about the war and my suggestion of the blockhouses. 1 saw my chance, and sailed in. and for tw » hours and ten minutes I gave them my ideas of the campaign. They were most impressed, hardly opening their lips after the first ten minutes, and apparently sunk in profound t bought.