VOLUNTEERING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2001, 23 July 1880, Page 2

VOLUNTEERING.

To the hditor of the Gloie.

SlB, —General Davidson, in his report on the Christchurch Volunteers, fully bears out all that has been said from time to time on volunteering. I wonder if the Government, now they have the General’s report, will do anything to remove the stumbling blocks to our Volunteer movement. There is one thing certain, it cannot hold together much longer under the present mismanagement. Another thing that militates against its success is the way in which the services of old Volunteers are passed over. (I shall have more to say about this at some future time.) Another thing, let them have more practice and leas theory. An officer should, if necessary, be able to explain the movements to those in his command. Can yon expect any captain to do so who has never learned his drill ? Too elect him, what for ? Because he is a jolly good fellow, and then, when too late, yon find out he makes you look like jolly fools. I once heard an Imperial officer, holding a high position, say he could always tell a good commanding officer by his regiment, a good captain by his [company, as from them he heard no complaints, for they allowed no room to complain ; but with an inferior commander the company was always complaining. Truer words were never spoken. Tours, ic., H.M. FOOT.