THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4025, 22 November 1881, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—Put not thy faith in priooeai nor thy trust in any government, should be the revised edition—Thames volunteers are naturally indignant at the mean and contemptible conduct of the powers that^V-' be. Our gallant volunteers who were willing when called upon to give their services for the ending of the native difficulty, first made the following conditions ;—l. That they should be commanded by their own officers. 2. That they be granted a free kit. 3. That they; be guaranteed two months' service under the Constabulary rates of pay. Colonel Header wired to Major Murray—"Conditions of Thames men very reasonable, enrol them and send them on at once." .Now I hear the Government have authorised Major Withers to come down to collect the men's kits and pay them off to the: 21st inst. inclusive. I would advise the men to stick to their free kits, which were furnished them for Her Majesty's service/ one day's service in the field entitled them to that; and I would furthermore advise them to sign no acquittanoe roll, but to accept any payment offered under protest. The Government must be taught that Thames miners are not thus to be trifled with, even to the bar of the House of Reprev tentatives if necessary. No miner should after this give his support to any Govern* pent man, but look out for a free and independent candidate.—-I am, &c, Toiuhtibs.

(To the Editor of the EvfiNiHG Stab.) Siß,-While the enrolled force are atUl on service, and who are now very adept at their-business, would it not b« worth,

while to have a battalion drill on Saturday afternoon of the combined volunteers P The enrolled force acting as three several companies, the Scottish could furnish another company, the Naval Brigade, Eangers, Engineers, Natives, and Cadets another company each, forming a small brigade of two battalions of four companies each. The opportunity for such a display may not occur again during the next ten years. It would be gratifying to the citizens to witness the full strength of the district assembled, and would be of benefit to the Volunteers in a tactical point of view.—l am, &c, Ohe of the Stay at Homes.