The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1886. Defence

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 153, 5 June 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1886. Defence

The Bill entitled the Defence Act 1886, introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. Mr Buckley, is intended to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the Militia, Volunteers, and Permanent Militia of the colony. The measure retains many of the old regulations, but introduces a new feature in a force to be entitled the Permanent Militia to take the position at present occupied by the Armed Constabulary. The men will be embodied to serve in and throughout the colony, or beyond the limits thereof, for resisting the common enemy, putting down rebellion, quelling disturbances, and preserving the peace. Members of this Militia shall, unless on aotual service, be subject only to tho orders of their officers, and of the commander-in-chief. In case of any sudden disturbance the Governor may send the whole or any part"; of this Militia to any part of the colony to act therein either in aid of or as a police force; and when so acting, every member, although not sworn as a constable, shall have the same rights, powers, and authorities, and be subject to the same rules as if forming a part of the polios force. All officers and men of the Armed Constabularly who may be serving at the commenceof this Act shall be deemed to be duly appointed to the Permanent- Militia. In a time of special or emergent service on public danger, Volunteers may be enrolled under such regulations as may from time to time be fixed by the Governor. They must sign an agreement to serve whenever required,, whether within or beyond the limits of the colony, and be subject to serve undor any officer of JELr Majesty's Imperial service or of the defence forces, who may be set over them. A very important privilege is granted them to the effect that officers of H.M. Service shall not sit on any courtmartial for the trial of any of them unless permisson is granted by Her Majesty and that officers of special Volunteers shall take rank with Her Majesty's officers according to dates of commission when serving together en courts-martial. No oourtmartial nor any other authority under this Act. shall have power to inflict corporal punishment, except death or imprisonment, on any officer or member of the forces. The Acts proposed to be repealed are the Colonial Forces Court Martial Act 1868, the Militia Act 1870* the Volunteer Act 1881, the Volunteer Act 1881 Amendment Act 1883. The are many defects in the Bill no doub*J, but these will probably be detected and amended in committee. Taking it as a whole we think it worthy of earnest support. As soon as it becomes law, the Volunteers will be subject to it, who wiR thereby be put on a more clearly defined footing. Members of corps who now look very lightly on the responsibilities they accepted when they were sworn in, will find that under proper military discipline they have very serious duties to perform, and which must he performed, or very unpleasant consequences wiU follow.