Num. 79.

1629

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

OF

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1897.

Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1897.

Despatch re the Presence of Colonial Troops at Her Majesty’s Jubilee Celebrations.

Defence Office,
Wellington, 10th September, 1897.

THE following despatch, received from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the presence of Colonial Troops at Her Majesty’s Jubilee Celebration, is published for general information.

T. THOMPSON.

(New Zealand, General.)

Downing Street, 16th July, 1897.

MY LORD,—The time has arrived for the departure from this country of the various component units of the remarkable military assemblage which has constituted one of the most striking features of the recent Jubilee Celebrations; and I cannot allow the occasion to pass without expressing the great satisfaction of Her Majesty’s Government that such a unique and characteristic gathering of Her Majesty’s Colonial Forces should have been so successfully brought about.

2. The Colonial Troops have attracted the marked attention not only of the British public, but of military experts of all nations; and by their soldierlike bearing and appearance, and their discipline and general behaviour, both on parade and in quarters, they have won the highest opinions on all sides.

3. Her Majesty’s Colonial Forces, during their stay in England, have been treated in all respects as regular soldiers. They have readily and cheerfully conformed to every requirement of regimental and barrack discipline, and, by an intimate association with their comrades of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces, have become acquainted with every detail of a soldier’s life.

4. It has been a particular satisfaction to Her Majesty’s Government that this great occasion has been the means of bringing together men of all creeds and of all races, who, although coming, as many of them have done, from widely-separated portions of the Empire, are all united by one bond of allegiance as soldiers of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress.

5. Her Majesty’s Government feel that they are justified in hoping that the effects of this exceptional military gathering will be permanent, and that the Imperial and National interests which have been by this means so forcibly illustrated and brought home to the minds of all classes of Her Majesty’s subjects will now be realised in a manner that has been scarcely possible before. They can hardly doubt that the events of the last few weeks will have done much to knit closer the bonds of union between the Colonies and the Mother Country, and to this end the presence of the Colonial troops will have largely contributed.

6. I will only add, in conclusion, the expression of my hope that the troops will carry with them to their homes pleasant memories of their visit, and that their stay in this country will have proved not only agreeable but instructive; and I feel confident that in years to come it will be a source of pride and satisfaction to those who are now leaving our shores to think that they have taken part in this great and important national demonstration.

7. I shall be glad if you will publish this despatch.

I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.

Governor the Right Honourable the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c., &c.

By Authority: JOHN MACKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.