VOLUNTEERS OF THE DOMINION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 4 November 1907, Page 4

VOLUNTEERS OF THE DOMINION.

NOT -'WEEDS." WHAT COLONEL DAVIS SAYS. Mr Hogg asked the Acting-Minister Defence (Hon. It. McNab) : "Whether his attention has been called to a public statement said to have been made at Christchurch recently by Colonel It. H. Davics, one of the paid officers of the Defence Forces of the Dominion, to the effect that the volunteers of the Dominion were "weeds;" and whether the Minister proposes to take any action in tho matter, in view of the unfounded nature of Colonel Davies' allegation? (2) Whether the Minister's attention has been called to the alleged public advocacy by Colonel B. H. Davis of a question of State policy—namely, compulsory universal military training for the people of New Zealand; and whether the Minister intends to take any disciplinary action in the matter, seeing that members of the Defence Forces are forbidden by the regulations under the Defence Act to take any public part in political agitation?" The Minister replied: "Tho attention of the Acting-Minister of Defence has been called to what was alleged to have been stated by Colonel R. H. Davis at Christchurch recently, with the result that the Minister is satisfied that the honorable member has been misinformed regarding the statements made by tho Colonel. Tho local newspaper report of the speech delivered conveys no suggestion that tho volunteers of the Dominion were described as 'weeds.' The officer in question was describing the nature of the military service of the various nations of the world, and stated that every nation, except England and America, had some form of compulsory service. Speaking of universal military service, Colonel Davis stated that it meant that tho flower of the nation, the brightest and best, would bo its soldiers, not the weeds. Tho Colonel was not speaking of the New Zealand volunteers when ho was making the statement, but was defending universal military service from the charge of bringing into the ranks of the soldiers ■ only the weeds of the country. Colonel Davics' report on page 21 of Parliamentary Paper H.-19 of this session gives his personal opinion of the New Zealand volunteers in the following words: 'The men are of superior education and intelligence and good physique.' Of the field artillery he says: 'They are of a very good stamp and are keen.' 'The Mounted Rifles aro generally of very good physique.' 'The Field Hospital and Bearer Corps are smart, keen, and well up in their duties.' Speaking generally of the state of efficiency of the men, he says, 'The excellent material of which the force of this country is composed do mands higher training and qualifications in its officers.' Aagin, 'The rank and file being of a much higher standard of intelligence than is usual in the forces, demands higher standard still in the officers.' This completely disproves the suggestion that the Colonel holds such views as are attributed to him. The only assertion that the Colonel's statement regarding 'weeds' referred to the New Zealand volunteers appears in a telegram associated with the name of an ex-officer of volunteers who resigned during Colonel Davics' command of his district. In regard to tile second question asked, the Colonel did not express any opinion on any political question. Addressing tho gathering, he urged the ladies present to endeavor to secure 'by sentiment, and not by politics,' universal service amongst the young men of this country. It is quite a proper thing for officers to urge everyone to train for the defence of their country and to enjoin the volunteers to do so."