THE PROPOSED RESERVE CORPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1533, 6 May 1885, Page 2

THE PROPOSED RESERVE CORPS.

To the Editor. Sir, — I notice that the Mayor has called a public meeting to consider the expediency of forming a Reserve Corps in this district. I hope the movement will not succeed. The principle upon which these Reserve Corps appear to be formed is, that their members shall enjoy the privilege of remaining in reserve while their neighbors do the fighting. Now, this is not my idea of a soldier at all. We can hardly expect to find a hero in the man who makes it a condition of enlistment that, when tjie day of battle comes, he shall be. posted In eopie sale place in the rear. If there are apy persons in Ashburton who think it their duty to qndergo a course of military training (and no doubt the time may shortly arrive when it will become the duty of every one of us to carry arms) why don’t they join the Ashburton Rifles? I dare say Captain Douglas can find room for a few more recruit? in his ranks—moat recruiting officers can and probably he would -not enquire too closely into tb§ ages of the candidates under the circumstances. If, however, an independent corps be wanted,, Iqt a second company of Rifles be formed; but, for goodness sake, don’t let us hear aiy more about this Reserve Corps. An “Ashburton Reserve Corps ” would be a spectacle for gods and n»en.—l ana, etc., O. W. PohheljL.