The home front - NZ in the South African War

Expressions of patriotism

The South African War led to an outpouring of patriotic sentiments on the part of New Zealanders. There were songs, poems and dramatic productions supporting the war.

Over 20 patriotic songs and productions were copyrighted in the names of their authors or composers during the war. Many songs had a distinctly New Zealand flavour. Boys of the Southern Cross, copyrighted in 1900, had a rousing chorus line proclaiming 'We are the boys of the Southern Cross/Our stars shine on our flags/Emblazoned with the Union Jack/To show we're Empire lads.'

Other melodies fuelled the sometimes jingoistic elements of New Zealand's expression of patriotism. Sons of the Colonies, copyrighted in 1900, warned extravagantly of 'England in Danger!' and urged colonial sons to make haste to defend the motherland.

The dramatic productions could be elaborate affairs. 'The Relief of Ladysmith', written by Mr G. H. Goodall, had a 60-strong cast of actors and musicians. Set in a military hospital in the besieged town of Ladysmith, the play was a tale of love, death, sacrifice and betrayal. Goodall and his cast toured the Wairarapa in mid 1900. The performance in Greytown was preceded by considerable patriotic activity. The gun squad of St Matthew's Church Lads Brigade and the three corps of the Wairarapa Cadets paraded through the town, with the gun detachments firing off salutes. Before the production, the Greytown Band played a selection of military tunes, and the play ended with a 'picturesque tableau' of 'Britannia and Her Defenders'.

Fundraising

The efforts made by New Zealand women on the home front played an important part in ensuring that the troops in South Africa were continuously supported through both public morale and funding.

Because government funding for the contingents was limited, public fundraising was necessary to ensure New Zealand troops were adequately supplied. Despite being restricted by their expected roles as Victorian wives, mothers and sisters, many women embraced fundraising efforts as a chance to express their support for the war. Not only did they promote the war through sales of buttons and ribbons, but they took charge of organising fundraising events such as fêtes and galas.

Wellington Amazons

Although it only raised a small amount, the most memorable fête was held in the grounds of Government House in March 1900. Organised by Lady Douglas, it drew more than 5000 visitors. Throughout the day women performed various entertainments, including a concert, a ballet and scenes from A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It was at this fête that the Wellington Amazons entertained the crowd with a display of their parade ground skills, drilling in military formation and performing tricks on decorated bicycles.

Inspired by Queen Victoria, who knitted a selection of scarves which were to be awarded to brave troops, New Zealand women also produced clothing and other items such as food and toiletries.

Although patriotism towards the British Empire was undoubtedly a factor that inspired the women’s efforts, many were also driven by a desire to help their sons, husbands and brothers who were serving. The notion of women as nurturing figures featured frequently in propaganda and was personified by Queen Victoria, who was viewed as the mother of the empire.

Opposition to the war

Despite majority support for the war effort some elements of society opposed the presence of New Zealand troops in South Africa. Among the first to voice their opposition were politicians like Robert McNab, the member for Mataura, who claimed that the Boers were ‘in the right, and … Britain to-day is in the wrong.’

Thomas Taylor

Others, such as Thomas Taylor, a prohibitionist and politician, condemned the war as a capitalist venture. As a result of his vocal opposition Taylor fell foul of the general mood and lost his seat in Parliament. In a similar vein, James Grove of Wellington wrote to the New Zealand Times in December 1899 claiming that it was not the English people who were responsible for the war but rather a select group of greedy men who simply wished to profit from the bloodshed.

Pacifists were also vocal in their criticism. On 31 October 1899 Mrs Collings of Wellington wrote to the New Zealand Times: ‘as a woman who, with thousands of others, watched our brave lads leave our shores (many of them may-be never to return) I hope to see the day when war shall be no more.’

As the war dragged on and the death toll rose, many members of the public felt their initial excitement and patriotism being replaced by war weariness. Some were concerned that the war was becoming a drain on resources, especially manpower, which was needed at home. Others felt that as a colony New Zealand should look after its own interests first.

Vocal opposition to the war carried risks, including the threat of being sacked. As a result of writing anti-war pamphlets J. Grattan Grey was dismissed from his position as the chief Hansard reporter at Parliament. Some companies such as the Westport Harbour Board notified their staff that any opposition to the war would be considered a matter of disloyalty, resulting in dismissal.

Anti-war campaigner Wilhelmina Bain

Women also played a prominent part in opposing the war. The New Zealand National Council of Women (NCW) was influenced by the International Council of Women, which firmly believed disputes should be resolved through mediation as opposed to militarism. One noteworthy female opponent of the war was Wilhelmina Bain, a feminist and a Christian. She gained notoriety after openly criticising New Zealand's involvement during a speech to the 1900 NCW conference. Despite passing a motion condemning militarism, the NCW officially distanced itself from Bain's views after she was widely denounced by newspapers.

Those who opposed the war did so for a variety of reasons and did not see themselves as disloyal to the British Empire. Instead they believed their criticism was essential in order for Britain to preserve its honour. But in general, opposition to the South African War had little effect and those who did harbour such views soon realised that dissent would not be tolerated.