Colonel Whitmore on Volunteering.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3006, 3 October 1878, Page 3

Colonel Whitmore on Volunteering.

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the Hon. Col. Brett moved for various returns in connection with the military store ; the number of efficient volunteers,

non-efficient, > the quantity of .ordnance, ammunition, etc. He urged that it was desirable to reward efficient volunteer officers by promoting them to the militia, with the same rank they now hold. They would be proud of their rank, and it would give them a stimulus in the execution of their duty. " The Hen. Colonel Whitmore paid most of the information required would be found in his annual report. When the Government saw that European affairs presented a more peaceful aspect they withheld the order for 64-pounders from home, in order to procure newer arms, which were now on the way. With regard to the Gatling guns recommended by Colonel Brett, the invention w4s not yet complete. Every day alterations were being made, and the Gtofernment had decided to wait .until assume a more approved shape. It 'was undesirable to bring, gut arms not completely proved. He was not afraid of any foreign enemy attempting to land. If they did, the Volunteers would be able to reportagood account of them. But he was , afraid of piratical cruisers. When the armament arrives the country will be no longer in danger. As to providing repeating rifles, they might have a weapon which would shoot too fast. It was found that the Chassepot rifle, in the hands of an excitable people like the. French, was bo rapidly discharged that it «was impossiblei torkeep lip the supply of ammuni-; tipn. Allowing that our race was less excitable.; still there would be great waste. Arms were short' for Cadet Volunteers. He was loth to starve the movement for, want of arms, and tlierefore induced thd Cabinet to send home for 2500 more, rifles for Cadets.. Every other branch have sufficient arms. There were some 8000 or 10,000 Enfield rifles in the store, almost new. They hare powdef and a quantity of balls, which could be made into cartridges in a ihort time.' It had been his aim to render the volunteers self-reliant. He had promoted them and given bonuses to encourage them whenever possible. At the Thames hf saw .as fine a company of highland volunteers as ever he saw in his life; they were beautifully dressed, and took great interest in volunteering. He did not approve of the system of rewarding volunteer officers by putting them m the: Militia. The Militia was too much encumbered with non-effective officers, and he had been endeavoring to reduce the number.' The two different services ■houid be kept separate. The motion was agreed to.—Auckland Star.