Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1901. MILITARY POWER OF BRITAIN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 June 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1901. MILITARY POWER OF BRITAIN.

Thk return of our Volunteers and Cadets after taking part in the largest gathering of yeomanry soldiers that has ever been held in New Zealand, brings prominently before this far off, and small, but by no means insignificant, colony, the future course of the Empire in regard to the Army—be it paid or volunteer —and also the question of compulsory service of all male subjects of the British Confederation. Until late years Britain was content to depend to a great extent upon her navy, but the forement statesmen of the day now realise the necessity for an army at least equal to that possessed by the greater powers of Europe. The Boer way has opened the eyes of many to this necessity and also to the need for compulsory service and training, partially in our schools and partially after that period has been passed. It seems pretty clear from tbe return supplied by the InspectorGeneral for recruiting in Britain, that a large army is not likely to be raised by the optional system now in force. His report for 1900 shows that the total result of recruiting for the year amounted to 49,200 men for Regulars and 37,853 for the Militia. These figures do not include the men raised for the Imperial Yeomanry, the Volunteer active service companies, the specially raised artillery artificers and compounders of medicine, and the Royal Reservists. The number of men enlisted for the Royal Reserve regiments was 24,130. The recruits for the cavalry and artillery showed a large increase, but recruits for the ' infantry, notwithstanding the impetus given to recruiting by the war, were actually 241 less than in 1899. Dealing with these figures the same authority says that " though the numbers enlisted have steadily increased, the time is a long way off before the supply becomes greater than the demand. The manner in which the auxiliary forces responded to the call for increased forces proves that the country can always

rely on men being forthcoming in an emergency, but the problem still remains of how a sufficient number of recruits for the maintenance of the increased establishment of the army can be obtained in time of peace," and further on declared " modified conscription may be within measurable distance." General Hector M'Donald, interviewed in London the other day after his African experience, said:—" My opinion of the necessity of enforced military service has been confirmed and strengthened by the events of the war"; and, on being further asked if the splendid enthusiasm shown by volunteers from all parts of the Empire did not go against this theory, rejoined :—" No amount of enthusiasm at from 10s to 5s per day will compensate for lack of training and early discipline." And when we remember the splendid tribute he paid to the services rendered in South Africa by the Colonials and British British volunteers, there can be naught of jealousy for the " amateur soldier" in his declaration. In point of fact he declares that all other things being equal, the soldier or volunteer, who has had an early training, is better fitted for war than the man who has had no previous experience in military movements and use of arms, and as this can only be attained by compulsory service, he urges such service as best for the individual as well as the Empire. And what applies in England applies also to these colonies, which have shown and proven their desire to take part in the struggles of the Mother Land. Our volunteer system has been far from complete or effective. Recent gatherings have shown how utterly bad were the arrangements, and how completely they would fail in time of actual need. But apart from this, volunteering in New Zealand has been altogether too spasmodic to be effective, and an alteration is desirable. The wave of Imperialism now on the land will pass away as soon as danger is past and the movement will again collapse if something is not done in the meantime by popularising the movement, or by providing that the youth of the colony shall be required to devote some time to acquiring the " arts of defence." Our Premier is credited with "Imperialistic tendencies," and if so after the experience of the past two years may see his way to introduce a measure bearing upon the subject. If he should do so, he would, we are convinced, have a large majority in favor of making every man in the colony acquainted, as : a citizen soldier, with the best methods . of defence. It would be no hardship to the individual, no loss of liberty, ' and would be of immense value in time ' of need.