The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 749, 13 November 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1867.

Voltwteeb Corps are almost essential to modern life. No town of any size or importance in the whole of the British dominions can rest satisfied until it has ita Volunteers. The movement has become bo popular, both at home and in the colonieß, that one of the first questions asked by strangers is, " have you a Eifle Company." It has been a matter of reproach that Invercargill, j until very recently, took little in- ! terest in this matter. When His Excellency the Q-overnor visited this Province he expressed his appreciation of the hearty welcome he received, and remarked that it only wanted the appearance of a Volunteer Corps to have rendered it complete. It was a mild but well deserved censure upon the apparent want of patriotism of the inhabitants. It is satisfactory to feel that henceforth no visitor to this town will be able to reproach the citizens with a want of spirit in this matter. The recently formed Invercargill Eifle Volunteer Company now numbers considerably over 130 members, a band has been organised, and from the punctuality that has been displayed by the majority of members in attending drill instruction, it is not too much to say that the Inver- ! cargill Volunteers are rapidly approaching the position of a crack corps — a company of which any province might be proud. In addition to this, there is a cadet force numbering over sixty youths, all of whom are manifesting industrious perseverance in gaining the knowledge necessary to qualify them to enter the ranks as effective members upon attaining the standard age. The advantages arising from volunteer practice and military discipline are numerous. They tend to create a manly bearing, a healthy constitution, a patriotic spirit, and distaste for those indolent excitements, the indulgence of which too frequently ends in ruin. It is therefore with great satisfaction that we have watched the progress of our local company. There is, however, reason to fear that the delay in obtaining the uniform will have a prejudicial effect, if much longer protracted. It is but natural that volunteers should object for months to be compelled to parade in every variety of garb, because the Defence Minister is revolving in his mind the desirability of recommending the adoption of one uniform for the whole of the volunteer companies in the colony. This we know is beginning to have a depressing influence on many who have ihown an earnest desire to promote the movement. It is now about two months since the style of uniform desired by the corps was forwarded to head-quarters, and the only reply has been that the matter was under consideration. This should not be. If the Q-eneral Government doe 3 contemplate enforcing uniformity of costume, it is not one of those difficult questions of deliberative legislation that requires months to decide. "We would, however, counsel the members of the company to wait with patience and persist in their efforts to finish the work they so energetically commenced — making the Invercargill Volunteers the crack company of New Zealand. The telegram in this morning's issue, announcing that His Royal Highness the Dttke of Edinbttbgh had arrived in Australia, and intimated a desire to spend his Christmas with His Excellency Sis G-eobge G-eey, renders it almost certain that should Pbes"CE Alfbed visit this Province it will probably be in the early part of February next. It is therefore most desirable that every possible effort should be made to get the question of uniform settled, for it would be a reproach indeed if His Royal Highness should find, as Sib G-eobge G-bet did, that there was no Volunteer escort to be obtained. There is another question of public importance connected with this subject. The Volunteer Band cannot be efficiently maintained and extended without public assistance. The expenses incurred in procuring instruments, music, and other incidentals, are heavy, and should not be allowed to over-tax the liberality of Captain Habvey and a few others. A good military band would be a great boon to the town, and should be supported by the public.