THE VOLUNTEERS.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2736, 23 November 1871, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The following are the recommendations of a Joint Committee of the Assembly upon thfl future constitution of the Militia and Volunteers : The Committees are of opinion that ip outlying districts, until a reserve force can bo established in aid ot the permanent Con: stabulary Force, that it is desirable that the Government should encourage the formation of Militia Volunteer companies, consisting of approved men of the first class Militia; these men should be engaged for a period of five years. Upon enlistment a bounty of LI ips should be offered; they should be clothed, and drilled with the permanent force for twenty-four consecutive days at some convenient season of the year, being paid at the rate of four shillings per day for such drills ; and that they be allowed to wear their clothing on .Sundays throughout the year. Ip the event of internal disturbance, these Volunteers (Militia) to be fist called out, and first marched in support of the permapent force. That the number of such Militia ip each district may be limited tp such extept as the Government may deem necessary. The Committees invite the attention of the Government to the great want of rifle ranges and targets throughout the Colony generally. They have been informed that in the Waikato district, where a force of 200 Armed Constabulary and 600 armed settlers are on actual service, there is oply one range (made by the settlers), and that the signal flags are the property of a private ipdividual. They recommend that a rapge and three regulation tar-gets should be established at the head-quarters pf each company of Militia or Volunteers in scattered districts, or at some central and conveniei t place in large centres of population; and that, in the matter of practice ammunition (under proper supervision), the Government be liberal. It is desirable that proper maga. zines be formed at the chief centres of popu-

lation, and that assistance should be granted to the Volunteer Corps in the erection of drrl sheds and armories. Also, that every adjutant of Militia or Volunteers throughout the Colony be supplied with implements for the instruction of musketry. The Committees further recommend in regard to the ordinary Volunteer Corps, that the whole numbers of men to he accepter aud enrolled in each Province in the Middle Island should be limited to U per cent, of the whole population, aul to 4 per cent, in the North Island. That the capitation gra .t be paid to the treasurer of each corps, and form part of the funds of the company, and that the standard of efficiency be raised. Facli corps or battalion to have power to make bye-laws, for the regulation of th-ir drill, suited to the circumstances of their pos tion ; the rules to be approved by the Defence Minister. The commanding officer of a district to have power to dismiss a Volunteer from the service, on the report of the captam of the corps, for unn-attendance, irregularity, inefficiency, or insubordination; hut such Volunteer shall have the right to ask for a court of inquiry, to be composed of three officers not of his own company ; the report of the court to be final. Any Volunseer so dismissed shall not be eligible for adluission into other corps. An amendment of the Volunteer Act to that effect is required. Candidate for admission to the force to he required to undergo a preliminary drill; when certified as efficient in squad drill, and in the manual and platoon exercises. a candidate shall be eligible to fill a a vacancy in any par icular corps. It is also recommended that the hoys at the public schools throughout the Colony should be trained in military exercises, and that Cadet Corps be formed of the most efficient—the number of Cadets in the Middle Island being limited to one-half per cent, of the population, and in the North Island to one per cent. The captain in each Cadet Corps should be an adult