VOLUNTEERING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1672, 30 June 1879, Page 3

VOLUNTEERING.

[By Marksman]. The first step of an important movement on the part of our volunteers was taken on last Friday evening, after the monthly inspection parade. The Artillery, Engineers, and City Guards mustered in strong force, and passed a series of resolutions referring to the present drill shed and grounds. The object of the meeting was to pass, and place In the hands of tho officers, a series of resolutions drawing tho attention of the Government to the urgent necessity of rebuilding in brick the orderly rooms, recently destroyed by fire, and repairing tho drill ahed, which at the present time represents a huge shower-bath. The approaches to tho shed in wet weather form an excellent trap for the unwary. As pointed out at the meeting, th’s is a stato of things to which the volunteers should net submit. The time and attention given by them was an earnest to tho Government of their desire to fit themselves for the defence of the colony and peop’e, and should meet with substantial recognition. When the orderly rooms—which, by the way, were paid for out of each company’s private funds —wore burnt down, the necessity of immediately replacing them was urged upon the Government, but notbmg has come of it. Last yeer, when the necessary repairs to the drill shed were brought under notice, the Government desired the volunteers to pay ha 1 ? the cost. Why, surely the Government does not expect able-bodied men to pay for the privilege of being sworn in to defend her Majesty’s property P Christchurch alone the number of enrolled efficient volunteers exceeds two hundred. But how many more, in the event of a serious outbreak, world be found who have, through tho means of the volunteer movement, acquired sk’ 11 in the use of the rifle, and in tho necessary field exercises ? We must not always look to the present strength of our forces. With an unsettled population as ours is, we cannot expect to keep np full strength ; but, nevertheless, the science is taught. The volunteer movement is, at present, in its infancy, but as years roll on its necessity wi l ! be recognised, and receive the same anxious consideration at the hands of our colonial Government that the Imperial ParVament accords to the British volunteers. No one can deny the important part the English volunteer force has silently played in European affairs. If the present enrolled English corps number 200,000 pen, to how many men has that service imparted the usual exercise ? At least double that number could be sent into tho field. Latterly, too, the English Government have increased the capitation allowance, and granted additional facilities to its volunteers, fully recognising the important part they play. If all this can be done in England, where they have the head-quarters of our National Army and Navy, surely it should be done in an outlying possession like New Zealand. Much has been aaid of late about the inability of the Imperial Government to render much assistance to these colonies in the event of war. Failing such aid, what are we to do ? In the absence of a volunteer force, it would need but a handful of men to land in Lyttelton, and make a raid upon Christchurch. This is an absurd idea, some will say, but what is the outcrop of the Russian scare of two years back? , . . , , What did the big guns now lying m a shed in Lyttelton harbor cost the Government ? What are they for, and who is to work them when they are wanted ? Our Government enjoys the security which the volunteer force gives, at the rate of £2 per head per annum. That is tho allowance from which each man must be clothed and contribute towards the expenses of hk company. The expenses include gas account, vent of rifle range, working expenses, such as advertising, &c._ For £4OO per annum, we have a well-trained force of 200 men. Such sum represents the pay at 5s s|d per day of four men for one year. What does the standing force of the Armed Constabulary coat ? However, the chief •want of our volunteers is that the Government should reinstate the orderly room, repair the drill shed, and vest the ownership of the shed and grounds in trustees for tho volunteers. The propelty, together with that portion that the police authorities occupy, was purchased by the Provincial Government in 1862 for no special purpose, but was subsequently set apart for the volunteers and police. If the Government will so grant tho land, and make the necessary repairs, the volunteers will acsept the onus of all subsequent responsibility in respect thereof, and for this they have a good precedent, as at Dunedin the drill hall and ground belong exclusively to the volunteers. The city members of the General Assembly are to be asked to undertake tho charge of a Bill to carry out the movement, and as it is one of vast importance to tho country and people generally, let us hope it will be successful.