NZ answers Empire's call to arms in South Africa

Premier R.J. (‘King Dick’) Seddon asked Parliament to approve an offer to the British government of a contingent of mounted riflemen. Amid emotional scenes, the motion was overwhelmingly endorsed – only five members voted against it.

Seddon told Parliament that Britain’s position in its dispute with the Boer state of Transvaal was ‘moderate and righteous’. The ‘crimson tie’ of empire bound New Zealand to the ‘Mother-country’ - and a strong British Empire was imperative for the colony’s security.

The authorities in London accepted New Zealand’s offer within days. Seddon proclaimed proudly that New Zealand had been the first legislature in the empire to offer assistance, overlooking the fact that five other colonies had offered forces in July. Hundreds of New Zealand men applied to serve, and by the time war broke out in South Africa on 11 October 1899 the first contingent was already preparing to depart.

Image: ‘“King Dick” the peacemaker’ cannon