Trie*-Chronic -~ I'UULISHKD DAILY LEVIN. MONDAY, APRIL i'J. 11)10. THE NATIONAL HIiSJiRYJi.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 April 1915, Page 2

Trie*-Chronic -~ I'UULISHKD DAILY LEVIN. MONDAY, APRIL i'J. 11)10. THE NATIONAL HIiSJiRYJi.

In tilt , tii'.sL nave «i patriotism at the of the war the I.evin National Koci'Vi' was ioi'iiiod and lniisU'letl lor its iirst paradeo some eighty strong---horse and loot. Many others only hesitated to join the movement till assured by the Defence authorities that in doing shj they \?otikl be perlonniiig a ii.sriul part in the delem-e of this country. TJtit this assurance was slow in coming-- the Defence Department had every energy taxed to llie utmost lo equip and dispatch our

expeditionary forces—-ami tli« members ol the now body were advised to join tlie rifle clubs as these constituted the only reserve recognised by tlie regulations. Somehow the impression was conveyed that this sudden military zeal on the part ol' ordinary citizen was rather in the nature of embarrassment than anything ~i lv .,| valnul>erhaps those in charge loresaw that it would be only temporary in cliaracler, and that it would soon evaporate "iidcr the real sacrifices that trainii..' "onkl demaiKl. The manner in which Hie Levin National .Kesene melted •''"Hi an cntlniiastie eighty.,dd to -, steady nucleus of abet S(Joniw , t i-ouiiriii this view. However, !ls time "•wit on. the inovc.mo.it lor the foriimtioii or t| R . .National Reserve a, a •listmct unit ol the milriarv force* ol - V ; U " Zc ' illimd l«»k otrong hold in the ""'"ls ol men a l| <tyc> . t)jt , wunivy ti)J to-day platoons and companies are being lormed everywhere. The National t«fs.Tvo i.s now an authorised bodv """lor the direct control of tht, DeJ elite Department, with a elaii' of Bfficer.s and set ol regulation,* to govern "* «'"-ii.-f. The coustii.tioh is thoroughly democratic in that all affairs of each unit are decided Oy the majority in upen meeting-, thy Department only reserving to itself jurisdiction in matters of policy, etc.. affecting the "hole body. The object of the reserve i* purely the defence ol Aew Zealand from external enemies ami it can .in no ea*o Oe used in civil disturbance. The training laid down consists in one hour's drill per week with optional privileges of further instruction. The -National .Reserve is thus organised on a .sound foundation and appears likely to fill a permanent and increasing)v important role in the nation. As far as Levin branch is concerned the k>w steadiast members left after the nidi had ■subsided have been drilling regularly since -November, and though handicapped by the smalluc\ss ol their miniher have mastered at least the rudiments of the game. Sergeant-Major Uettius has been a willing an"<l capable instructor and has constantly put himself to considerable personal inconvenience in order to assist nnd advise niembeitt. Kvery man wTio has gone through the drill duties ever since the reserve formed feels TiiiuseTF a better man for the experience, and feels hi.s hour a week spent sit the drill hall anything but a waste ol time. Jiut there are not enough. Every man physically able to do so should join at once and help to make "the Levin unit a credit to the men in the district. >s\>xt Friday (23rd April) is to be the .start of the new order and a 'big rally will be held at the Drill Hall, when a large number of recruits will be sworn in. This is the time to join, so a.s to learn tho ABC with the re.st. Every man who would defend liin country in case of need should join at once, for who knows when the call may come, nnd it were well that ho be prepared.