RETURNED TROOPERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9465, 7 June 1909, Page 2

RETURNED TROOPERS.

SPLENDID RESERVE FORGE

One of the speeches of the evening at the annual dinner of the Hawke's Bay South African Association, held in the Garrison Hall. Napier, on Monday night, was. that delivered by Captain Whiteley, who held a commission in the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Contingents that left New Zealand, says the Napier Telegraph. Oapfcain Whiteley pro posed the. toast of “The New Zealand Parliament,” bnt before doing so said he wished to say a few words on the newly-formed Hawke’s Bay Association. “Why are the majority of returned troopers averse to rejoining the volunteers?” he asked. “1 think it ,is mainly because the man who has served as a volunteer, then gone oat to South Africa or elsewhere, and seen active service, finds much in volunteering that is hninstrnotive and uninteresting -to him, though absolutely necessary for -the volunteer. The returned trooper who rejoins the volunteers is compelled to drag through wbat is, to him, a lot of monotonous and unnecessary work, to earn capitation for his company. Where the companies are continually changing their officers this is very marked, though necessary, as all aspirants for commissions must make use of their dorps for squad drill, etc. to prepare and perfect themselves for examination. Evidently,"a more attractive system of service than the ordinary volunteering is necessary before our returned troopers can be induced to I)eQOQQO active and interested. workers in time of peace. ; THEIR AMBITION.

Since the South African war many returned troopers’ associations have been formed in the Dominion. Many pleasant functions like tins have been held; and many gatherings where exciting reminiscences have been revived and old bonds of comradeship renewed. This is all pleasant and grand,- and the patriotism within one,'but this seems to have been the extent of their usefulness. Is this the height of our ambition? Surely not. I should like to see this and all kindred associations rise to objects' greater, for with the materialithat is to be gathered within the sphere of each association, great things can be accomplished. Let me state as briefly as possible what I consider each association, carefully and studiously guided, is capable of accomplishing with success. THE FIRST DUTY. Its first dnty should he to define its boundaries, then compile a full and complete roll of every returned trooper within its boundaries capable of carrying arms. Though not necessary for every trooper to become a member of the association it should he absolutely necessary that every trooper’s name and address be placed on the roll, either as member or non-member. Every person here to-night has at one time or another walked round the monument placed on the Marine Parade and seen the large number of officers and men sent from this district to serve in South Africa. Nearly every province throughout the Dominion holds a similar record. I doubt whether one-fifth of those whose names are emblazoned on that monument at the present moment are attached to a corps of any description. The same applies to other provinces. Now all these men have seen more or less active service. What a splendid auxiliary or reserve force can be made out of these four-fifths in each province if a system of service can be formulated that will attract them. And why not? Strong arguments are being used favouring compulsory training, whilst here, at our very door, we have as fine a body of trained and tried men as the world can produce, that only Grants —what? Organisation. Here is the opportunity to prove onr usefulness, and let every association rise to the occasion. First, get boundaries defined and rolls completed ; then, knowing the strength of each province, let each association form its own squadron or squadrons. DEFENDING OUR HOMES.

The Boers taught na an object lesson in the art of defending our homes. Their experience tanght us that the weapon lor defence is the rifle. The Boers did not put their country to the expense of costly uniforms, and neither should we; and in forming our squadrons I suggest that any ordinary dress with say, slouch bat of uniform pattern as a distinguishing badge, be sufficient. A regulation rifle, with belts, pouches and bandoliers for ammunition, shonid complete the outfit. All who went from New ’.Zealand to Sonth Africa served as fmonnted infantry, and, as everhyody knows, mounted infantry are only intended to fight on foot. It is not necessary, therefore, for troopers to keep or own a horse speoial'y for drill purposes, knowing that every man can use the horse well and correctly when necessity arises. To pnt my idea in nutshell form, it isjthia: that each organisation from the number of experienced men at its command should have a section, no matter how small, trained to carry out each and every separate duty or branch of service required to work and manipulate successfully a column on active service. In fact, to form itself into a miniature column. A COURSE OF TRAINING. When squadrons are* thoroughly organised, two drills of two hours* duration, say, one held previous to general meetings and one previous to ordinary smoke night, would be ample for company drill, and calling of the roll. A certain amount of rifle practice is indispensable. An Interesting course of training should be drafted out, including signalling, scenting, judging distances, field sketching, plan reading and plan making. Officers and non-coms should be instructed in the value of every road, creek* river, kopje and point of vantage for strategical and other purposes, within the'bonndary, A most important feature should be a thorough and up-to-date training in transport and commissariat duties, and each oragnisafcion should have its own intelligence staff or department, It is for you to condemn or approve these suggestions. They are given with a desire to see some scheme formulated without delay to draw and attract onr returned troopers.

SHOWING THEIR FATRIOTSM, A few weeks ago we held oar first smoke night, when every member present proved his patriotism to his King and Empire by fervently endorsing Sir Joseph Ward’s action in contributing Dreadnoughts to the Mother Country. I am now about to suggest something that calls upon yon to prove your patriotism towards onr Dominion; the land o r

onr homes. War with, Germany cannot be avoided; and.sa, ; coming closer every - day. If the Government, whose health we are about to toast, is not prepared to supply us with rifles and bandoliers, I suggest that this association shows its loyalty and patriotism to its own country by starting at once a fund to purchase a sufficient supply for its needs, to be the property of the association, or the property of each individual member, who cares to purchase his own. Then ail we need ask from the Government for our services is ammunition. What would be the value of such a force, raised on this or similar lines, in troublous times’ It would be invaluable ; and the generals of New Zealand would soon begin [to look upon the force in the same light that Bonaparte looked upon the Old Guard.