THE DEFENCE FORCE OF THE COLONY.

Evening Star, Issue 3024, 29 October 1872, Page 3

THE DEFENCE FORCE OF THE COLONY.

In one of Sir George F. Bowen’s despatches to TCarl K-inVberley, the efforts wliicn. New Zealand makes to sustain a proper strength to defend cur shores and uphold the Government arc very favorably contrasted with what Britain docs in that respect. .He says “ The Militia has never been enrolled in'the South or Middle Island, where there is no internal danger ; but the returns show that there are 2.736 Volunteers in that island. It will be seen that the strength (all ranks) of the Militia called out for actual service and for training and exercise, in the North Island alone, is 4263 There are also in the North Island 3,832 Volunteers, and 723 officers and men of the Aimed Constabulary. It will he further perceived that Colonel Harington, the Inspector, reports that the per centage of ‘ efficients ’ in the New Zealand Volunteers is 74, a large proportion when compared with the per centage elsewhere. It will thus appear that there are now enrolled and armed in New Zealand:—Militia, 4263 ; Volunteers, 6509 ; Armed Constabulary, 723 ; making a total of Europeans of 11,554. Moreover, about 4000 fighting men of tho loyal Maori clans in the North Island are armed by the Government and have done good service in supporting the authority of the Queen. It will thus be seen that the entire armed force of New Zealand at the present time amounts to above 15,000 officers and men, in a position (European and Maori) of something under 300,000 souls. In other words, more than oue-twentieth part of the inhabitants of this Colony are armed and drilled in support of the Government. This is as if the regular troops, militia, and volunteers in the United Kingdom were to number one-twentieth part of the entire population of 31,000,000, viz , 1,500,000 officers and men.” His Excellency makes this contrast in a very pointed form, and, small though it he, it shows the spirit of selßreliance which is felt in every section of our community.