The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 27, 1886. New Zealand Volunteers

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 63, 27 November 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 27, 1886. New Zealand Volunteers

It is so seldom the Volunteers of the Colony haye anything said in their praise, that we experience some emotions of pleasure in noticing the complimentary remarks made by Colonel Whitmoee at a banquet given to that officer at Marlborough. He said that after comparing the reports of the authorities on the efficiency and administration of the Defence Forces of New Zealand and the several Australian colonies, he was satisfied that in regard to cost, efficiency and numbers, the comparison was altogether in favor of New Zealand. The New Zealand Forces cost less than half the combined forces of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. The New Zealand Permanent Militia was superior! to any of the Australian forces, and could not be beaten in conduct, discipline, physique, and knowledge of its military and technical work, and out of England there was no better Volunteer force than that of New Zealand. Its organisation is now complete. In point of numbers it exceeds by 200 men those of thu three Australian colonies, and under the now system, the force could be raised to 12,000 men by a single proclamation, who could be quickly concentrated to show a good front in case of emergency at any vulnerable point. The discipline of the Volunteers had improved greatly within the last 18 months, and the regulations now in j force would render it more perfect. The forces were now independent of political influences, and really formed a national army, a family link being j created between the Volunteers, the Permanent Militia, and the Civil Police Force, so that every Volunteer could work his way onward without seeking political influence. This speech must be gratifying to the Volunteers who have only themselves to thank for the high position they occupy in the mind of the Commander of the Forces.