Volunteers.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3543, 4 May 1880, Page 2

Volunteers.

. The following is the way in which the Eangiora Standard speaks of the late volunteer review down South..—This volunteer review "Tomfoolery is now over; well brer, as without doubt all well thinking people will say. A more disgraceful exhibition of ignorance'l of military duties, both on the field and out of it was never exhibited. Instead of raisiug the Volunteer movement in public opinion, this review has certainly lowered it to a very considerable degree. And the public purse has to pay for it all. On the review day, in was notorious that hopeless confusion was the order of the field. The whole thing was a burlesque, a Punch and Judy show d la grande mililaire. Powder was wasted, enor» mous quantities of fermented liquids were absorbed and mutinous conduct was observed.. Fancy, when the review was over, our brave army boldly clamour* ing that if the? should be ordered to march to Christchnrch instead of being c.nveyed by train, they would set the orders at defiance. The scandalous con* duct of these " armed " larrikins in either thieving, disturbing the public peace or what not, was a disgrace to any civilized community. They thought nothing of insulting females in the street, of looting shops oi rushing the Christchurch theatre, where a number of counterfeit "British tar " (butcher and baker boys who had never felt salt water) crushed at the door over the usher's body and flourished bottles of liquor—probably stolen—even on the stage. More of these budding fishmongers, after illtreating an inoffensive pie-man, stole all his goods. Again a number of them threw a man into a water trough. Other blackguards of the same kidney, forcibly ejected a lady and gentleman from a carriage and drove off in the vehicle. On the Sunday, most dastardly outrage 3 were committed by these shop boys and Dunedin larrikins clad in badly fitting " sodger's " toggery. They nearly took charge of Christchvreh in fact. Now, we want very much' to know, where were the police ? And are these outrages to pass unpunished and unnoticed by the Government. We are told by Colonel Packe who was in com*, mand of the "forces" (?) that these scandalous doings were the work of but a few. Why then, did not the officers in command set to work and order the majority to control the indecently blackguard few ? For purpose of political toadyism and popularity hunting, neither the Government nor the high military authorities appear to care about cleansing the so-called fair name of the New Zealand Volunteers. Nor do they seem to have the slightest idea of the manner in which " Volunteering" should be handled. Playing at soldiers by shoemakers' and tinkers' apprentices and at the ratepayers' expense, should mean more than a vulgar spree, where demoniacal doings are at. the fore. This Easter review was called an encampment; save the mark.P Why, the whole of the men present should have been made to learn camping and tenting in the field. It is more difficult to learn than common drill. But what did the authorities do P They billetted the " forces" in every possible comfortable way, feather beds being in much request. The last detachment that came even turned up their noses because the apartments procured for their sleeping comfort were not provided with washhand stands! And the authorities gave in, we believe, and got the necessary utensils for the complaining "campaigners .'"During the great American war of Independence, the Yankees turned out like one man. They fought well, and eventually drove the English from the soil. Yet they had never played at Volunteering; had scarcely handled a gun; and certainly had little personel cognizance of washhand stand and bedroom utensils— no more, by-the-bye, than the Dunedin cads of the Naval Brigade-had with' these articles, of civilization, or with salt water. Perhaps some people will now fully endorse what Colonel Brett, an old Indian officer not of the " wash-hand basin " period, and oJierold warriors of his class often said in the Assembly as to the uselessness of the New Zealand public wasting money on Voluuieer Tomfoolery. It is but larrikinism, and wretchedly handled as it is by imoempe* tent field officers and political toadies, is but a sham and a delusion—an expensive one. All along the railway line from Christchurch southward, public opinion has now firmly come to that conclusion. Of discipline there is absolutely none. Jack being as good as his master. Why then should the overtaxed ratepayer have . to pay for these " military sprees " aud have his windows smashed and himself robbed and insulted to boot.