THE GLOBE. MONDAY. MARCH 29, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1901, 29 March 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY. MARCH 29, 1880.

Christchurch at prosaut has all tlio appearance of a garrison town. Uniforms aro as plentiful in the streets as blackberries in an English hedge; military bands parade the thoroughfares awakening the martial ardor of the most apathetic, and red coats and blue jackets mix with civilian costumes in picturesque confusion. It is pleasant this departure from the ordinary routine of working life into a more stirring atmosphere, and the volunteers who havo come from so many parts of the colony to take part in the review may be very sure that they aro heartily welcomed by the residents of Christchurch. They aro welcomed as fellow colonists, and as men who have, by the very act of becoming volunteers, declared their readiness to defend their country should their services bo required. It betokens no small public spirit this massing of upwards of 2000 volunteers in one town. It shows that the Government have something tangible to roly upou should they unfortunately bo ever called upon to ask New Zealand colonists to show their affection for the land of their birth or adoption by risking their lives in its defence. Such demonstrations, too, should havo some effect at least upon the Native mind in the North Island. The more intelligent Maoris are well posted in what takes place in this island, and the fact of such a largo body of men, well equipped, and more or less ready for action, coming together at considerable expense and personal inconvenience, is sure to convince them that the force the Government could bring forward, if affairs came to a crisis, would bo such as

would render resistance on their part altogether out of the question. With regard to the physique and soldierly bearing of our visitors, we may fairly say that they have quite come np to the high expectations which had been formed of them. The real stuff out of which good soldiers come is there in abundance.

Having shown how welcome our visitors are, wo trust that they will not take it in bad part if we proceed to make some remarks, in a friendly spirit, with reference to points which have struck many persons in connection with the Volunteer movement in general and Volunteer demonstrations in particular. There is no doubt a moral as well as a physical end to bo gained in the training of men to arms. Not only do they render themselves capable of defending their country if need be, but the discipline to which they are subjected should, by all rights, have a beneficial effect on them individually. Strict discipline is absolutely essential for the making of a soldier, and its moral effect on the man also is good. But a suspicion is gaining ground that tho discipline of our volunteer force is not of tho best. Such occurrences as have of late taken place at Ashburton and Napier ought not to be allowed to pass unheeded, as a shock is thereby given to the whole system. Take the Ashburton incident. A number of volunteers —not to put too fine a point upon it—wreck a shop. These men are presumably under command of their officers, They are not a body of men “ out for a spree.” They are soldiers on duty. Suppose, to take a parallel instance, a number of Germans soldiers stopped at a township en route to the seat of war and some of them wrecked a shop. What would bo the consequence ? Decidedly unpleasant to the perpetrators of the outrage. Even for stealing a few apples out of an orchard during the siege of Paris, men were tied for hours to the tree off which the fruit was taken. Then again, at Napier, a body of Engineers totally refused to obey the orders of the captain in command, and yet we hear of nothing being done. Now the difference between a mob and an army is that the latter is disciplined and the former is not. It is absurd to say that discipline would be enforced in tho event of a crisis, if it is not carried out in the “ piping times of peace,” Discipline is not a thing that can be created in a day, and, above all, it is little likely to be suddenly formed in the face of an active enemy. Unless a spirit of discipline is inherent in our volunteer force, tho force will he, should it ever he called into real action, comparatively useless. It is more than doubtful whether, in the case of all demonstrations, it would not be better to have the whole force under canvas, and tho camp placed under strict military regulations. Old campaigners assort that more may be taught to a body of mon so circumstanced in a few days than could otherwise he taught them in a year. If demonstrations and reviews are looked upon merely in the light of a “ spreo” tho sooner they are put a stop to the better. The Legislature has not voted money to enable volunteers to air their uniforms and to visit the various towns on pleasure bent. There is also a minor point which has struck a good many persons, namely, the demeanor of many of of the junior members of the naval brigades. Jack ashore is a charming individual, and his absurdities are always welcome. They are the natural outcome of high animal spirits which have been bottled tightly down during a long cruize, and find vent when the “ liberty ashore ”is granted. These frolics take place during what we may term Jack’s holidays. The junior members above referred to apparently copy Jack ashore with photographic fidelity, but unfortunately the “raison d’etre ” is not there. They have not been coped up for several years on board a ship, and they are supposed to be more or loss on duty, not out for a lark. It appears, therefore, almost a burlesque that Jack ashore should bo so faithfully imitated. Of the utility of tho Naval Brigades wo have tho very highest opinion. Thoir services, in the event of war, would in all probability he called upon sooner than those of any other arm of the Volunteer service, and it is consequently in no hostile spirit whatever that wo have made the above remarks. Toung blood is apt to run into extremes, and we merely wish to point out a fact that has struck a considerable number of observers.