The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1888. ROWDY VOLUNTEERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1773, 22 February 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1888. ROWDY VOLUNTEERS.

" One swallow," we know, " does not make a summer " — on the contrary proverbial wisdom teaches us that " the exception proves the rule," and we are well assured tbat the fact that now and then we hear of volunteers misconducting themselves is not to be taken as an indication that our citizen soldiery are given to rowdyism. It is quite true that the recent disgraceful episode at tbe opening of the Calliope dock m Auckland is not an isolated, or rather unioue one, as from time to time like occurrences have had to be chronicled, but then it is to be remembered that we have a force some io.ooo strong, consisting of hundreds of different corps, and when the instances of bad behaviour are all marshalled together, it will be seen that they bear a very infinitesimal proportion to the general record of good conduct. Given an equal number of Imperial soldiers or sail Drs, and an equal number of similar occasions of their appearance m public, or taking part m festive proceedings, or public demonstrations, and we venture to say that there would be at least as many causes ot complaint. The difference is that m tbe latter case the offenders would be dealt with promptly, sharply, and severely, whije m the case of volunteers the authorities exhibit a laxity which i_ much to be regretted. Take them all round the volunteers prefer to be treated to strict discipline, and the whole force, we are persuaded, would be just as glad as the public to see those who disgrace their uniforms made an example of. £f it be true that volunteers on duty at Au.clcjland £be other day, were kept for hours without food or drink m a hot summer temperature, the officer or officers who had charge of the proceedings are certainly to blame, but that fact, much as it is to ; be reprehended, ought not to be allowed as a plea for drunken and disorderly conduct. It is more than a pity that beer has such a$ attraction for some men that they cannot help | indulging to excess whenever they bave the opportunity,* but until all the volunteers h-ecame teetotallers, some of them

will drink jshen they can, whether m mufti or m uniform, jßut they ought to be taught by their sup^iors that drunkenness m uniform is an offence which cannot be repeated, because insuring the prompt expulsion of the offender. We sincerely hope, for the sake of the jForce generally — and m that hope every goo,d volunteer will, we are sure, heartily concur-rj'that if the facts, as stated m the telegram published a day or two ago, are fully substantiated, the pending enquiry will load to the i^nipedifte weeding out of the men who h^ve done their befit, or rather worst, to disgrace the fgir l^rae