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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2865, 31 May 1882, Page 2

The Board of officers appointed to report upon the Volunteer force of the colony are about -to make certain recommendations to Parliament which, if adopted, will have the effect of entirely changing the aspect ot Volunteering in this country. Everybody knew the present system wanted bracing, and that the Volunteer force, to really bo efficient as a protector, required to be placed on a better footing than it now occupies. Taking the recommendations seriatim , as telegraphed ;—First, as to grade of service, that Volunteers shall serve three years in *tbe first line, and one year in the secon'd line,-is based upon the German methods, which ensure a thorough training to every man bearing arms, step by step. The provisions as to enrolment are suffioinntly comprehensive to secure the enrolment of men of sound physical constitution and good character. Volunteers will not be allowed, so long as they remain healthy and reside in’the colony, to resign their position in the force. This should be an excellent regulation, equally beneficial to the force at large and every individual member of it. The Volunteer force is not to be regarded as a mere gymnasium for young' men, to be resorted to and dropped at pleasure, but as a national institution, which those who identify themselves with must learn to look upon as within the sphere of actual duty. Perhaps hardly enough stress is laid upon the services of Artillery. It ought to bo recognised that although Cavalry and infantry are very useful, the foundation of a sure position of defence is, undoubtedly, an efficient Artillery force. Why the Navals arc placed in a position of secondary importance, it is very hard to say. To a country* like this, with an immense seaboard, the possession of a trained naval force is of the very first importance ; and why, in precedence of arms. Cavalry go first, can be explained by no supposition that we can conceive of. The provisions for regular attendance at drill, and a full course of training, are properly very stringent; and those for the employment of qualified instructors and adjutants are very complete. There is also full provision made for the maintenance of discipline in all ranks of the service.

On the whole, the service bids fair to be purged and reconstructed, and that it sadly needs purgation and reconstruction, like many other institutions of the country, nobody will venture to deny.