THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1893. THE VOLUNTEERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2469, 25 February 1893, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1893. THE VOLUNTEERS.

Fob several years there have been hints thrown out very frequently that it would be desirable to abolish country Volunteer Corps, and concentrate all volunteering efforts in the large centres. A couple of military experts from Home advised this, and at one time the late Government thought of doing it, but were deterred by public opinion. We are inclined to think that the time is drawing near when something like this will be done, and if Mr Seddon take it in his head to do it, public opinion will not stop him. Colonel Fox has submitted a report to the Government, and though it has not been made public yet a forecast of it has appeared in the Lyttelton Times which seems to haft? been written by some one who knows something about it. From this we gather that "it & intended to make the Volunteer more efficient, and at the same time w&Ffi economical. Now it is quite plain that greater efficiency cannot bo obtained for less expenditure £han at present. The volunteers give their services for practically nothing, for the capitation does go to the individual members, but is kept for the benefit, of the corps. How then can I greater efficiency be obtained with less expenditure I Simply by the abolition of country c<>?j>ij #ufl devoting tin money thus saved to inducements to volunteers in large canSr.fc* p<; attend to their duties better that* ;4ii'/ have hitherto done. Supposing, for instance, a volunteer got half-a-crown for attending a drill, or so much a year for attending a certain unfflDto °f parades, there is no doubt hut men wo.l better than they are doing at prestiJ. UndHr existing conditions they are ottered no inducements, and nothing but the love of volunteering could induce any one to go in for it. The Government no doubt realise this, they see that in order to make volunteers thoroughly efficient it is necessary to pay them something, but they find that to pay all would be too expensive, and hence the desire to abolish country corps. In our opinion it is a mistake to abolish the country corps. We do not anticipate that the services of volunteers will be required in this colony; we do not believe that there is any danger of war, but if it ever came to a fight we thoroughly believe that the country men would make far better soldiers than the townsmen, and that it is, therefore, a great mistake to abolish the corps in the rural districts. Let us take town corps : they are chiefly composed' of clerks and men who have never beeu used to hardship. Will they be able to stand the fatigues of a campaign like the men brought up in the country, who have been accustomed to camping out and roughing it all their lives 1 They certainly will not, snd consequently we say that the country corps would make far better soldiers and be far more valuable if the necessity for defence arose than town corps. For these reasons we say that the Government will make a,

great mistake if they abolish country corps, or at any rate such of them as show efficiency. They are are now well established; they are practically selfsupporting, and the miserable pittance which is given to them in capitation is certainly not sufficient to make or break the colony.

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. Engineers on the New Zealand railways appear to have a fine time of it. Mr Low has, we are informed, returned after a tour of inspection of the railways of Great Britain, the Continent, and America, and Mr Rotherham has gone to America to study the railway system there. It is only three or four years since Mr Maxwell also visited Europe and America to study their railway systems, and he is now going to Australia for the same purpose. Meantime what have we gained by this ? We have to pay these gentlemen while gallivanting over the face of the globe like this, but we find no difference in the railway management on their return. However., we suppose the Commissioners know that they have come to the length of their tether, and they think it as well to spend the money this way as any other way. It is alleged that Mr Maxwell is going to Australia to look out for another billet, and if so we have not the slightest objection to pay his salary while doing so. We shall be very glad to get rid of him, but meantime we say that it is outrageous that the country shuuld pay these gentlemen while travelling the world on the pretence of studying railway management.

FRIGHTENED CAPITAL. From Auckland comes a telegram which says that trade and commerce have im proved, that property is becoming more valuable, and that there is more money in the colony than people know what to do with. This again gives the lie direct to the " frightened capital'' cry. The improvement has been brought about by the present Government. And who has said this '( None else than the Chamber of Commerce of Aucklaud, which is composed of the big merchants and wealthy men, who are the enemies of the present Government. Thus " those who came to scoff remain to pray." The very enemies of the Government have to acknowledge the great improvement effected by the Liberal policy. This, we think, ia the most valuable testimony to the efficacy of the present policy which has yet been adduced.