Our Volunteers.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2086, 17 March 1898, Page 2

Our Volunteers.

>[Bv Martini-Henry.] By a telegram from Wellington it appears that our defence authorities are beginning to wake up to increase the Volunteer Force, and it is high time something was done not only to increase the number, but to efficiently equip and drill them, as the inducements at present are not sufficient—the rifles and bayonets are good, but the rest of the property belonging to tfc? Government is rotten, unserviceab \ and unsuitable -to modern requfroments ; the uniform of the To* Aroha Rifles is not climatically serviceable, and the equipment in use only tonds to make it- a very conspicuous target. I will just tell you how if looks, and feels to one who Has worn it. First, the headgear, a white helmet with brass fittings, a villainous thing to wear; a blue ,cloth, fieldservice cap that is good for evening or dull days, calculated to insure sun stroke on hot days. Blue sergejacket and trousers, that in hot weather are too hot; and draw-the heat, and in cold weather the wind , and rain go through it.. Now, as to its appearance, as a target, thewhite helment, blue clothing, white- - pipeclayed belts, and white pouch 6 x 6, make as distinct a target as possible the black service pouch is so< > old that the stitches break, directly an attempt to put 20.* rounds- of Martini cartridges in. is made. No sane man, if he could help it, would like to go on service with such aa equipment, and by the look of things it is not .far off r - when we shall be called out, if not foractual defence, it would be to show that N.Z. is prepared. Now, as to theofficers, they are absolutely unprovided: , with arms or equipment. They areexpected to be efficient in the use of sword and revolver, which they have-: to purchase for themselves, in addition to an already expensive uniform. Thej instructions available for country officers and non eom. officers is, to say , the least of it, > inadequate. In town*, there- are classes and other means of . getting special instruction,; in the- ; country a district officer visits about;. ; once a month for inspection- and drill,. \ The officers and N.C.’s have sis months allowed in which to. render-, themselves fit to pass a fairly severe ex- ' amipation, and. they have very little opportunities of being taught in comparison with town officer*. As to theft. C:’k examinations they have to-pass; ;in several speeial subjects that, during the last 12 months, have not been taught once. Other subjects can he learEd from books, which they are nofe supplied with. Other things they are supposed .to know, without being shown. The question, as to not attend- ; ing the Easter Camp came up at theannual meeting of the company, and ; was referred to. the meeting after the? parade last • night. "When the question of leggings, belts; havresack hats, etc., came up for discussion, themen were in favour of brown belts,instead of the white ones, but as the, Government have no brown belts, thei only thing that can be done- is for themen to pay for them. The sameapplies to tho hats, etc. The financesof the company are sound,, but there-, is not money available to get thethings required, and if men give their* services as volunteers, for the defenceof themselves and their country, it iSi not fair that they should be expected! to pay for necessary equipment.. OurGovernment has not encouraged their* volunteer defenders as they should be. ‘ Some instances : Some few years back the use of the rifle was encouraged byallowing volunteers in uniform to> travel free, on Government railways,, to and from shooting matches with., other companies. That was cheeseparingly withdrawn, but during last, session, both Mr Herries and Mr Pirani spoke about the granting ©ft* railway passes, and they were told that they would* be again granted..;; This company sent a team to fire a. return match with the Thames Navals, passes being applied for to Paeroa en route. The reply was, that there was no authority to grant them.. Again an application is made for passes for* a team to fire in the Auckland District Rifle Association meeting, commencing-to-day. The reply was, as before—No authority to issue passes received* yeti So that those three that went; , have to pay their-own fare on Government railways the others would not;:. : go. That is the way promises madein the House to volunteers,. to. encourage them, are kept.