THE VOLUNTEER FORCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 96, 27 July 1880, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER FORCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

A paper has been presented to Parliament, containing a report on the above subject, The first part comprises a report by Major-General Davidson, Inspector of South Island Volunteers. In this General Davidson points out that the officers in his district are seriously deficient in knowledge of their duties, and suggests stricter examinations, and a fixed time in which they, should be passed. Ho also says : — " Greatcoats do not appear to form part of a Volunteer's equipment. In a climate like this it is a most important and necessary article of clothing. If the men were ever called out they would not possibly take to camp life without them/ The most important part of the report deals with " reduction of force aud reorganisation." Under this head, General Davidson expresses his opinion that " the Volunteer Force, as at present organised, is not efficient for the purposes for which a 1 military force is maintained." ;VVe quote the following passages from the report : —

It is composed of a. large number of men, only partially' trained an# armed, and of officers, v?ry mnny of whom though zealous in the movement are not f "lly qualified for the duties they may be called upon to perform, and who have not under the present constitution (he necessary means and opportunities to enable them to qunlifr themselves. The force consists of a number of units acting independently androften nt variance with each other.' Tllero' is Vie want of an executive head, one fixed system, and a proper chain of responsibility from below upwards.

To attain audhf an organisation as a military body to lie efficient requires, would, with the present numerous and scattered force,- neqessitajte a very preujb increase Jo the, expenditure, 'and thY question niturally* arises— ls so ljrge a force necessary for any oontingency that, go far us c%n be foreseen, is likely to occur ? If this be answered in the negative, the next point to determine it whether il would not be wiser, and in every respect better, to have a smaller force, all ranks of which should be fully instructed in their duties, properly equipped, and only

looated at«pl£ce»flihere their services would be likely td'bft requited, and from whence concentration in any direction might easily be effected, and which might be nmntained at «! ofaaiderable reduction on the present charges. I am of opinion {.hat thi» would be a more satisfactory footing fca-ftj&ce tbe force upon, both in view or eventualities that niny arise, and for the Volunteers composing it. The points for location are •naturally indicated, via., Invercargill, S>tmedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Chrietcburch, ricton, Blenheim, and Nelson, and tbe reductions I would propose are those of the outlying and inland corps, and also the cadet corps. Tlieso last so far as I have bean able to gather do not as a rule answer j^ie^porpose for^hjoh I conclude they were <>rganlees— to aoB "as feeders to the adult corps; I fa not mean to imply that no cadets Join- the adult corps, but that the numbers that do bo are not in a fair proportion," nor in men a state of efficiency at to compensate for the expenditure incurred i upon them. I consider from the general intelligence of the .population, that a recruit joining at seventeen or* eighteen, would in twelve months or'less be as efficient a member >s a lad who had been drawing capitation from the age of twelve, and joinad ft corps at seventeen. Am it is manifestly to the interept of the Colony, to encourage as many of the population as possible to become good markimen, if the above reductions are carried out Government aid should I think be given to the fullest extent to encourage tbe formation of rifle dub", and members of clubs aided and recognised by Government might be allowed to compete for all prizes equally with Volunteers. Colonel Leckie's reports on the North Island Volunteers are ex- v tremely brief, — unsatisfactorily so, we think. Whilst General Davidson has referred fully to the South Island Volunteers, praising where deserved, and at the same time pointing out their weaknesses,the North Island In* spector contents himself with devoting a few words to each company, which give almost no indication of their condition. In fact, if we are to judge him by his report, he is determined the Colony shall not make much profit from his services. The following is his report, on the two Volunteer companies in Manawatu : — Palmereton Rifles.— l inspected this company on 13th April. Arms and accoutrements clean and in good order. Exercised at manual, filing, and bayonet exercises ; drilled fairly. Manchester Rifles. — I inspected this company on Utli April. Exercised at manual, filing, and bayonet exercises ; drilled fairly. The following suggestion by Colonel Leckie, regarding Cadet Corps, is worthy of consideration : — I would suggest, that in all the principal schools the boys in the upper classes should be taught the theory of musketry during their school hours by the Drill Instructor of the district. For example, a Volunteer who has not learned the theory of musketry is unable to correct his shooting when he is at fault, by taking into consideration the deceptive influence of the sun shining' on the sight of his rifle, or make allowances for the influence of the wiud on the flight of tho bullet. Adults joining Volunteer Force 9 have no time for learning theoretical instruction. y From a return attached to the report, we learn that in the ColoHy"" there is the following ordnance, viz. : — Armstrong — 40-pr., 1 ; 12-pr., G; 6-pr., 10. Howitzers, 24-prs., 10. Mortars, 4 2-sths, 2 used by A.C. ■Force at Tarauaki ; 2at Napier, and 7in store. Iron guns (various), Bin use, 7in store ; 7-ton guns, 1 1 in store; 64-prs., 11 in store; total ordnance in Colony, 75. The returns of Volunteers on 31st March, 1880, showNorth South Island. Inland. Cavalry .. .. 604 118 Artillery .. ..847 823 Engineer .. ..397 70 Kifle 3334. 1976 Naval .. „ -195 294 Total .. .. 5177 3281 Total for colony, 8458. North Island. South Island. Cadets .. 870 1941 Total cadets in colony, 2SII. The increase since 30th June, 1879 was as follows : — North Island : Adults, 152 ; cadets, 205. South Island : Adults, 257 ; cadets, 851^ From one of the returns appended, to the report, we learn that the Manchester (Fqilding) Rifles have 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sub-lieutenant, 1 assistant-surgeon, 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 57 rank and file, making 67 of all ranks. The Palmerston Rifles return 1 captain, 1 sub-lieutenant, 1 assistant-surgeon, 8 sergeants, and 66 rank and file, making 78 of all ranks. The Feilding company have in possession 70 Snidor rifles, whilst their Pahnerston fellow-soldiers return 70 Enfields in charge.'