Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 7, 9 January 1871, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1871.

We have at various times directed attention to the hiefficucy of our volunteer system as it at present exists, and pointed out the necessity of some reformation in that department of our Government wliich has to deal with the colonial -defence, not so much with refeienco to any crisis that may immediately arise, as to the dangers that threaten us in the future should we continue to neglect the all-important duty of training our population to the use of arms, and. of teaching them the value of discipline, ancl the advantages of heing able to act iif concert against any enemy, whether internal or external, to whom they might find themselves opposed. In commenting upou the inutility of the present volunteer force, we have endeavored to show how desirable ifc is that the younger members of our community should learn the necessity of acquiring habits of obedience aud discipline- before they attain to manhood; and with this view we have advocated compulsory attendance at drill, while they are in their school days, and . consequently, at an age when tiiey can he more., easily trained to those habits, the absence of which is so marked in the colonial youth. Au article on "National Defence," wliich appeared in a late number of the Australasian so fully bears out our views on this subject that, we gladly refer to it ia the hope that the opinions there expressed may have some effect ib bringing about the desired results in our own colony as well as in that of ' Victoria, to which it specially relates. The basis of the argument is that it has been clearly shown by the present European war that the old , system of maintaining a regular army is no longer to be relied upon, and that the defence of a nation can not be safely entrusted to an exclusive military class, but must be regarded as a public duty in which every mau in the community must take his share. Such a theory is specially adapted to a colony, where, to keep on foot a standing army would be a work of the greatest difficulty, if not a thorough impossibility, while, as tothe efficiency of a national force, it has been shown beyond all doubt bythe unparalleled success of the Germans that it is complete, but, in order to be so, it is absolutely essential that the whole male population should be efficiently drilled. To insist that the Prussian system, which requires that every man is to pass three years in military service, should .be carried out in the Australian colonies, would be a mere absurdity, and it therefore remains to be seen how the desired end could be attained without insisting upon such an inconvenient and impossible means. As a simple and convenient expedient, the article before us suggests as follows:— " Much of the needful work of the soldier may be learned, not during the profitable time of manhood, but in the comparatively idle period of youth. If all our lads were properly drilled at school, the time requisite for converting them into efficient soldiers, wheu they were fully grown, would be sensibly reduced. Such a system of training would augment the physical and mental strength, and aptitude of the whole male population for the ordinary business of life," "and "so would largely increase the general productive -powers of the community. It is not enough that facilities or. inducements should b 8 offered for drill in the common schools. It. is a matter of public duty- and of geueral obligation, and observance of it oughtto.be exacted from all alike." For carrying out such'a system, we, in "New Zealand, possess every facility. In almost every province there are schools under the direct control of the G-overnment, and, did the public, it once consent to the proposition that it was a matter of general obligation, nothing co aid be easier than to insist that a certain number of hours per week'sbduld be devoted to the proper drilling of the pupils. Some- objection- might possibly be raised with regard to the difficulty or expense of ; providing proper instructors, but, this, we belie ve^imight easily be" •byerruied,' as in almost every district ; there is j

to be found somo settler who has served in the army, and who, while he is capable of imparting the necessary instruction, would be willing'to undertake the duties for a comparatively trifling remuneration. Our object just now is not so much to enter into details, as to offer somo general suggestions, and to call the attention of the public lo tlie importance of the question of colonial defence, but, while on this subject, we may give some information wilh regard to the iTianner in which the Prussian officers ana selected. They receive special instructions in a course of military tours of which the following description is given by ()61ouel Walker, an English officer who is said to have had excellent opportunities for obtaining information on this head. He says: — ''These journeys, and especially those conducted by General . You Moltke, are a most valuable source of instruction for the officers of the staff. All tlie officers who can be spared from the duties of the office take part in ,t|iese tours, as also a few staff officers called in from the commands, and a selection from the commanders of' regiments. For the tour superintended by Geueral Von Moltke the theatre of operations, and certain conditions likely to influence them, arc iudieate'd, a supposed strength is giveu to two opposing armies, their depots and menus of reinforcement are cleavly laid down, and the influence likely to be exerted by the movements of other bodies of troops on their flanks are taken into calculation. According to these data the senior officers present make their plans of manoeuvre, employing their juniors in the preparation of all the subordinate arraugements, the movements of the troops, the selection of positions for attack or defence, 'the .arrangements for supply, and for retaining a communication with the base. All these mensur.es are carried out ou. the spot, ahd daily reports are made, to the superintending officer, which, when necessary, are accompanied by such rough sketches as are usual during the progress of a campaign. Frcm these materials he is enabled to form an idea in what degree the spirit; of the operations has been grasped by the directing officers, and how far their juniors are instructed in the details of duties which they may hereafter be called on to perform. Here are some valuable hints which may be turned to account by those with^whom rests the establishment of some means of defence for the colony of New Zealand."