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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3564, 29 May 1880, Page 2

The Auckland Evening Star of the 26th inst. contains a sensible leader on the Volunteer question, expressing views of a nature similar to those advanced by us from time to time. Without noticing many facts, over the ground of which we have previously paced, we quote the following, which agrees with propositions advanced by us not long ago:—" The Volunteer force of the colony will never be made what it ought to be, and what it is capable of becoming—for w h © repeat the fault is neither in the men nor in the officers, but the system pursued—until the Government provide for regular encampments at least once a year. If the straightened finances of the colony will not justify such an outlay as would be required for conveyance, camp equip" ment, rations, and some small compensations to the men for loss of time, the best

alternative plan would be to weed out the volunteer force and to adapt the system we advocate to the reduced numbers. A small but really efficient body of men would be a better investment than a large number of raw and comparatively untrained levies." We entirely coincide with ■ the absolute necessity of a continuous training of the force during the summer months, under canvas—or bivouac. Better change the Volunteer force into a Militia, than continue to spend a large amount of money without adequate results. The Volunteers are anxious to increase in efficiency, but as the Auckland Star writes:—" It cannot be expected that any system like the existing one will ever make an effective fighting force in a time of emergency, though that is solely the object for which the volunteers are maintained, and unless that result is achieved the expense is so much money thrown away." Our Thames volunteers present a brave and gallant array, in all the brilliancy of scarlet, cloth, blue, silver, and orange facings when they parade on a fine sunshiny day, but take them to the tented field to bivouac for a few nights and their appearance would not be so imposing; they are provided with no tents, great coats, blankets, leggings or camp kettles, without which necessary articles an army would soon be decimated without the extraneous aids of hostile bullets. It is not the wish of the men to continue mere holiday soldiers, be the country ever so much impoverished, either place the force on a war footing, or do away with the present useless expenditure.