The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, ATJaUST 28, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 716, 28 August 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, ATJaUST 28, 1867.

In England one of the most noticeable featurea of the present age is the success of the Volunteer movement. (The great disinr clination that Was formerly felt by Englishmen to enter the_rahks as priv ate j soldiers, associated as it was at jme time i with Ideas of .moral degradation and ; social disqualification, appears to have !been altogether .swept away, and given place to more enlightened and comprehensive views. Imperial legislation has done a good deal in this direction. Where formerly the most tyrannical -laws- governed the administration of the British army to the exclusion of -that mauly independence so essential to the morale of a disciplined bftdy, nothing of the lHnd is now witnosaed. But instead a military spirit has been evoked that is not alone confined to the United Kingdom, but has : extended throughout the vast" and" magnificent" colonial empire, of Great Britain; Nothing; we believe, has so strongly contributed to the success of this movement, or to the cultivation of the desire to acquire the use of arms than the total absence, of ..harsh rules or regulations in the organisation of the Volunteer Force. It is therefore with very great pleasure we hail the resuscitation of our local force. "When, some years a°"o, the Volunteer movement was set on foot in this Province, and which continued in operation— for some dozen months or so, one of the principal drawbacks to its success lay in the habit of some of the members openly censuring the acts of their officers, and practising other things calculated to subvert discipline -and do away with the feeling of esprit de corps so essential to the well-being andefficiency of a volunteer body. In thus alluding to what chiefly contributed to the dissolution of the old corps we are desirous of pointing out to the members of- the new one the necessity that exists of repressing any similar tendency — and of obeying the instructions and commands of their appointed officers. Eegular attendance at drill, soldier-like bearing . and strict, observance of the „ , - —^**ww» \sKJLXducive to the 'formation of a crack volunteer regiment. The present movement is likely to prove "a "great success. "Upwards of ninety gentlemen have enrolled themselves, and the foundation of a band, consisting of fifteen performers, 7 •" has already been laid. There is also a number of honorary members enrolled, who are not subject tar discipline, but who contribute a small, sum to. the funds of the corps. To understand what honorary members of a rifle corps means, it is necessary to state that they are permitted to wear its uniform, and have the privilege of firing at the butts, when not used by the corps, and in the event of the militia being called out, they have the option' of serving with the corps instead of the regular militia force. We understand the arms and accoutrements may be expected to arrive shortly, together with a supply of eleven thousand rounds of ammunition. & target and iron shield' may also shortly be expected, so that no difficulty will be experienced iif commencing rifle, practice. We believe we are correct' in assuming that before long there will be established a commodious-, drill shed, and when we have mentioned the formation of a cadet corps in connection~~with the regular body : a general; idea may be ; formed of the amount of energy that is being displayed by the promoters of the movement. , ■In order to. ensure its permanent success, the strength of the corps should be augmented as ; much as possible, and therefore we would :; advise the young men —of Invercargill- who have not already. been sworn, in, not to lose an opportunity of- enrolling themselves. 7 The^jofps to be effective 1 should be numerous,-, , and there- .is ■ no more pleasant or useful knowledge to be obtained than what this recruit may learn' at the drill room/ -In time, ho doubt, when the corpses in. an advanced state, the practice will be observed that is in fore© in other countries, where the volun-.

teer movement flourishes, of adding the gymnasium to the drill room, thus encouraging constant and regular atttendance. It was a great reproach to Invercargill that no Volunteer body was present to. welcome His Excellency during his visit. Major Eichaedson, an old and experienced officer, evidently felt surprised that in a community like' ours, numbering so niany persons qualified to bear arms, such an utter _atk. sence of martial spirit should be evinced. We trust, however, that in the event of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh paying <us a visit we will be able to show him that the same spirit that animates our fellow-countrymen at home in the organisation "of Volunteer corps has found a hearty echo in this far distant portion of Her Majesty's dominions.