MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1189, 5 December 1871, Page 2

MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.

Thk following fire the recommendations of a Joint Committee of the Assembly upon the future constitution of the Militia and Volunteers; — The Committees are of opinion that in outlying districts until a reserve force can be established in aid of the permanent Constabulary Force, that it U desirable that the Government should encourage the formation of Militia Volunteer companies, consisting of approved men of the first class Militia; these men should be engaged for a period of live years. Upon enlistment a bo'mty of £1 10s should be ottered; they should be clothed, and drilled H'ith the permanent for re for 24 consecutive clays at some convenient season of the year, being paid at the rate of four shillings per day for such drills; and that they be allowed to wear their clothing on Sundays throughout the year. In the event of internal disturbance, these Volunteers (Militia) to be first called out, and first marched in support of the permanent force. That the number of such Militia in each district may be limited to such extent as the Government may deem necessary.

The committees invite the attention of the Government to the great want of rifle ranges and targets throughout the CT v 7 O

Colony generally. They ha 1 , e been informed that in the Waikato district, where a force of 200 Armed Constabu • lary and 600 armed settlers are on actual service, there is only one range (made by the settlers), and that the signal flags are the property of a private individual. They recommend that a range and three regulation targets should be established at the headquarters of each company of Militia or Volunteers in scattered districts, or at some central and convenient place in large centres of population ; and that in the matter of practice ammunition (under proper supervision), the Government be liberal. Tt is desirable that proper magazines be formed at the chief centres of population, and that assistance should be granted to Volunteer Corps in the erection of drill sheds and armories. Also, that every adjutant of Militia and Volunteers throughout the Colony be supplied with implements tor the instruction of musketry.

I The Committees further recommend in regard to the ordinary Volunteer Corps that the whole numbers of men to be accepted and enrolled in each Province in the Middle Island should he limited 10 £l\ per cent of the whole population, and to 4 per cent, in the North Khuid. That the capitation grant be paid to the treasurer of each corps, and form part of the funds of ihe company, and that the standard of efficiency he raised. Each corps or battalion to have power to make byelaws, for the regulation of their drill, suited to the circumstances of their position ; the rule-* to be approved by Ihe Defence Minister. The commanding officer to have power to dismiss a Volunteer from the service, on the report of the captain of the corps, for nonattendanct*, irregularity, inefficiency, or insubordination; but such Volunteer shall have the right to ask for a court of inquiry, to be composed of three officers not of his own company; the report of the court to be final. Any Volunteer so dismissed shall not be eligible for admission into other corps. An amendment of the Volunteer Act to that effect is required. Candidates for admission to be required. Candi

dates for admission to the force to be required to undergo a preliminary drill; when certified as efficient in the squad drill, and in the manual and platoon exercise?, a candidate shall be eligible to fill a vacancy in any particular corps.

It is also recommended that tie boys at the public schools Throughout the Colony should be trained in military exercises, and that Cadet Corps be formed of the most efficient—the number of Cadets in the Middle Island being limited to one-half per cent, of the population, and in the North. Island one per cenc. The captain in each Cadet Corps should be an axlulo.