A WORD TO VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 867, 15 November 1870, Page 3

A WORD TO VOLUNTEERS.

E, 11. Featon, Lieutenant commanding Auckland Naval Artillery Voluteers, writes as follows to the Daily Southern Cross. The remarks apply equally to the Volunteers of this Province as to those of the north : There is no disguising the fact, our Volunteer system is not what it should be, nor are our Volunteers what they should be. It is pleasing to us all to hear how liberally the present Govern* uuent have met our requirements; it is equally unsatisfactory to us to know how aloof tbe general public are in supporting the only protection they command Honorary members are slow in rallying round us; gifts of prices are stijl wanting, and embroidered fltgs from fair fingers are still in perspective. Great Britain, in shis present crisis, can confidently rely upon her 200,000 Volunteers, should every regular be drawn from her shores. Why should not every young man in Auckland, possessed of health and strength, swell the Volunteer raufcs here ? Jt is ouly a part of his duty as a citizen ; #nd if there is a nobler duty in this world to perforin than to succour the old, and shield the young from violence and misery, it is only when we lay down our lircs to save another's. Let those who are already Volunteers be dutiful and attentive : their conduct will emulate others to join their ranks. Let officers and noncom missioned officers he studious and persevering, not to be overcome with 6tnall obstacles, but persisting in the execution of their respective duties ; and I have no hesitation iu saying that the force will prosper, and thai, if occasion should require them, will not be Swii wanting.