DOMINION SCOUTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3124, 26 February 1909, Page 4

DOMINION SCOUTS.

Although it has been stated in med i cal authority that many of our volunteers are physically unfit to engage in actual warfare, that could scarcely be true of the Dominion Scouts, most of whom have come safely through the vicissitudes of active campaigns. Nor would it form any excuse for relegating the offer of the service of a body of 300 men into the doubtful obscurity of musty departmental pigeon-holas. Yet this is apparently what the Defence Department has done.. A few months ago the men and officers in Wellington and the surrounding districts, who had seen active service in Sputh Africa and elsewhere, decided to form themselves into a corps to be known as the Dominion Scouts. Enthusiastic meetings were held, and about 300 men handed in their signa urds as being willing to join. Prominent officers from tha Department lent their support to the movement, and in dome cases were quite as enthusiastic as the men. 'ihe offer was duly sent in to the Department, and so far as the men are concerned, that is the last that has been heard of it. Apparently, says the "Manawatu Standard," the Government doesn't want the services of these men who have had experience of actual warfare; or is it another instance of departmental red tape?