New Zealanders in South Africa

THE real quality of the men who gave such un­selfish service to the Volunteer movement in the face of such difficulties was seen in the contingents sent to help Britain in the South-African War. As early as 1885 New Zealand had offered to send troops to India, an unaccepted offer which was made because this country had been too late to help Britain with the war in the Sudan. But the prin­ciple had been established which was to be put into practice in the South-African War, that the security of the Empire was one and indivisible and had to be defended by all members of the Imperial Commonwealth.

New Zealand sent over 6,000 officers and men to the South-African War in a series of small con­tingents, at a cost to this country of over £300,000 and a pensions bill of about £3,000 per annum. These men were all volunteers enlisted for one year’s active service. The first contingent of 215 Mounted Rifles sailed on 21^st October 1899; their horses were shipped with them. The New_v Zealanders saw very hard service and took part with great distinction in a number of actions in practically all the theatres of war. Many of the troops suffered from fever, and the hard conditions of campaigning tried them severely. Even the later contingents of 1902 arrived in time for the final drives, and saw active service. All the troops sent from New Zealand were Mounted Rifles, and generally their horses were shipped with them. The troops New Zealand sent to South Africa firmly established our military reputation, for these men had proved themselves alongside British professional troops against a formidable and highly mobile enemy, operating in country that favoured his local knowledge and guerrilla tactics. One member of the New Zealand forces in the South-African War—W. J. Hardham—was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The New Zealand people took a justifiable pride in the achievements of the contingents they had contributed to the South-African War. They revised all their previous views about military matters, and the old apathy towards military service for a time disappeared