VETERANS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 660, 12 April 1870, Page 4

VETERANS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

_; 4 A correspondent writes to the Broad Arrow : — " Permit me through the medium of your columns to draw the attention of the Home and Colonial Government of New Zealand to the fact that a welll-disciplined force of men (pensioners) of good character and tried ability, could be raised in this country in a short time. These men would only be too glad to avail themselves of an appointment, were it offered them, to enter the colonial service, say for three or five years, at a moderate remuneration (as they are in receipt of pensions for services performed). Snch a class of men child at all times be depended upon to act in cases of emergency. As the Imperial Government i 3 determined to withdraw the whole of the troops from the colony, there would surely be plenty of employment for a thousand or so of such men; and as they are by profession solcaers, and know what discipline means (and let it be born in mind it is a thing not acquired in a day or a month), what would be so valuable to •a young country as a body of men of this description, properly officered J And the officers could be really obtained in .the colony from among retired officers of Her Majesty's Army. Their example would tend to produce a spirit of emulation among the young men of the colony and make them strive to equal, if not surpass, these veterans in the art of war. And what so laudable as to be able to protect our hearts and homes ? particularly in a country like New Zealaaid, where a bloodthirsty and semi-barbavou i race are ever on the watch to destroy the white settler. The colony, of course, would have to pay a something for the services of such men, but would have the satisfaction of knowing that a body of trained soldiers were at its command, ready and willing at all times to protect or even sacrifice their lives for the good of tl:e colony. "in conclusion, let me add that if a mtiiicaticu was given to Staff Officers of Pensioners that men of good character, while serving and subsequent to discharge, and in other respects fit for service, would te allowed to enrol themsdvos, I venture to assert that within a month I,COd » r more tried veterans would be ready for e:nbarkition, thus giving security t > tie colony, and relieving by that num jer over-populated England."