The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5071, 16 April 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1885.

We have felt ourselves frequently called upon to severely animadvert upon the nature of the Volunteer Itegulations brought into force by the late Government, and if another practical proof of their inutility were wantirig we have it now when the colony experiences what ig almost a call to arms. Doubtless from economic principles the body in question was cut down, its numbers reduced, and the expense it wa9 to- the country considerably lessened ; but we fear its usefulness was diminished to too great an extent, and that now, when danger threatens, some trouble will bo experienced in, bringing it to that state approaching perfection, which means practical use. The capitaiion vote waa decreased certainly, and this meant that the number of men wore reduced; -but officialdom did not for a moment, contemplate times of trouble, or it would have applied the pruning knife rather to that portion of the tree where the branches most required loppiug.off, tig : tueaalauei

of those possessing sinecures in the defence department, and the multiplicity of officers. There iB too much cause to fear that New Zealand volunteering ia advancing in the direction at one time taken by the American Army, where the appointment of au officer, wherever he could be pat, appeared to be the system followed; and that but few utilitarian ideas have for a considerable time prevailed in the preservation of the force as a means for that which it was originated, viz defence. Although it is a regretful thought, it yet seems—in the face .of existent circumstances—a reasonable one to indulge in, that those Governments who have made efforts to dwarf the real usefulness of such an institution as a capable Volunteer force, have not properly grasped the fact that the day and the hour is not known when it may be made valuable. The small —almost infinitesinally small—notion that colonial forces were only to be kept in working order to be used in case of internecine "trouble, presents its absurdity now, when a threatened invasion oa the part of a foreign power is no chimerical dream. Much wrong has been done, but it may yet—alas, only to a certain extent —be undone. The absurd regulations put in vogue by persons totally regardless, or guilelessly innocent,.of the exigencies r of the case, who were either wilfully or wofally ignorant of our requisites for defence purposes, should be at once cancelled ; and, here, in our insular homes, we should be allowed to think that the services of'those willing to defepd our hearths, will bs right gladly accepted without reservation, cavil, or hesitation, but with a good igrace. It is absnrd on the face of it, to suppose that at a moment's notice bodies, of men can be called together under militia or other regulations to take arms and effectively use them; the mere notion, is preposterous. These notes may sound like the creak of the stable door, shut after the steed has been appropriated ; but, should— and we hope it will—this .Eastern cup of trouble pass from England's lips, and the high seas, and British possessions remain secure' from the raids of foreign marauders, the colony could advantageously remember the little lesson taught simply by being pompelled to contemplate the incompleteness of her arrangements to defend himself, even against the Native portion of herself perhaps. In a volunteer system—as the name of the thing implies—comparatively little expenditure in connection with the affair is necessary, and as a rule where the majority of those volunteering are, or should be, induced to do so from a sense of duty, too much officering does not inevitably lead to efficiency; it divides responsibility, and tends to induce ambitious persons to enrol themselves— especially under the miserable system obtaining in ITew Zealand, where officers before, obtaining commissions, are not compelled to pass through the ranks. Many worthy officers and patriotic soldiers are named on the list of the leaders of the various companies, but there cannot be the shadow of a doubt, that werq those who have their souls in the work, asked their opinion as to the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, and existent regulation's ; they would, one and all; con. demn them. Before an effieent force can be gathered for any practical purpose th e regulations must be modified, if not alto gether done away with, and a thorough recognition of a genuine Volunteer system, be made.