CAPTAIN SMALL'S PAMPHLET REVIEWED.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4233, 1 August 1882, Page 2

CAPTAIN SMALL'S PAMPHLET REVIEWED.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star)) ' ■ - Sib,—When a volunteer venturc^M? ' sketch out a scheme of military reform, he ventures on a difficult subject. Our Senior Captain considers that his "praotical" experience in the art of war began in 1860. In 1863, he joined the Now Zealand field forces, and was present / under General Cameron., through the whole of the Waikato war; then, the

East Coast war, tinder the late Colonel

Harington, "and was under fie* in all the engagements." Captain Small does f< '■ not inform us with what regiment or corps he was enabled to be . present, in all the engagements. If he was, how-"

ever, so fortunate as to be under fire on so many occasions, he well^ deserves the two New Zealand war medals f' ? with which his volunteet .unifahji,.,,/ is decorated. He sums,up his'rMwpituli,^ - ; tion of services by claiming 22 years' continuous military service. This is tne first:i t time that I recollect seeing vpluateet ser- ' ' vice in the time of peace advanced as a military career. Captain SmalLthrows out a most vindicative insinuation on the capa*; bility of the Thames-Parihaka contingent. If the mettle of the Thames Volunteers

had been put to the test, they would '•"' have given a good account Xtf ■'< jjaitim* 6elves, although the senior $JtotM§[ -i|wrr> not with them. The Tbame(f^Bwteerii have been noted for being alw;. way ahead of other districts in point of eoolenoy, smartness, and discipline, vide refactg of -, the late Major Gordon and- Colonels Leckie and Lyons, all three experienced ' military officers. It is amusing to learn --

the Captain bemoans the loss of Major Cooper, when there was not a greater grumbler than himself at the Major's partiality and favoritism for a particular corps. " Bince the district had the misfortune to lose Major Cooper there has been a gradual retrograde movement as regards actual general efficiency; the prestige of the place has been maintained by the shadow or show instead of the real substance." If the senior Captain belonged to the army, in view of such a reflection on his present commander, he would be entitled to the honor of a courtmartial for conduct subversive of dis cipline in conveying censure on his superior officer. The fact is the author of the brochure published for the general information of all Toiunteers (outside the Thames district), understands discipline—so far as it does not affect himself. All Government ser rants are to be pressed into becoming volunteers without remuneration. Saying nothing about the unfairness of such an absurd proposal, the plan is utterly tinworkable. Volunteers of twenty years' service to receive a pension of £1 per month—the Senior Captain has an eye for Jthe ' bawbees, undoubtedly. The examination of candidates for commis,^..3ipn, as recommended by Captain Small, - is no new idea whatever, but more, far more should be—and is—expected of an officer: than the tests submitted by him. An officer under any reorganisation of the force, in addition to a required amount of military skill and " practical experience," must pass an examination equivalent to the Junior. Civil Service examination^ Captain Small ventures to differ from' every - military authority of note, in his ideas; j>f the qualification necessary for superior military rant. There nre some good points in Captain Small's scheme, but they have been advanced times before by other men. The perusal of the pamphlet will sufficiently explain why the Senior Captain so carefully guarded against its issue/hi his own district.—! am, &c, ** "~ Genebal Utility.