Volunteer Intelligence.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 43, 18 July 1885, Page 3

Volunteer Intelligence.

In an interview with an Auckland reporter Major- General Scratchley, refer ring to Colonel Whitmore's scheme of a permanent Volunteer Militia, said he had not time to consider its details, but it ■ ieetnod to him 'to be a step m the right direction, and would be the means- of passing through a course of instruction *' m the use of arms, and of bringing into a state of efficiency a largie body or men of " the' soldier age." The first consideri atidn was to 'get quality, and then quan- ; tity: One of the essential prerequisites a m regard to the local forces was the continual preseriee of a body Oflhighly- • trained and disciplined troops and' good marksmen, round whom could be gathered the less-seasoned troops for instruc-. ' tion and drill. . X picked body of mea skilled m torpedo drill would also be mi- . valuable both for service and as instruc- ' tors.. Mounted infantry men would also be found to be .very useful. The Major favours drilling the advanced youth of. v the public schools and of the other educational, institutions (without arms), accustoming them to habits of smartness,: obedience, and discipline, which would be: o£ great service to them. .hereafter,' apart; from, its value ; as a means of physicali traminjjj . -Laids 1 so' trained ' would never -} forget iheiir training, and m time to come (iliiedessity required) would readily fallinto the ranks, and take their places at once. He was a thorough believer m theVolunteer forces, and held the opinion' that all that was needed was perserverancein drill and attention to discipline to make them fit for any service required of 'taeni, \ •, - . ■ •■...= •■ • .