THE VOLUNTEER SCRIP ACT

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 249, 27 August 1879, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER SCRIP ACT

To the Editor of the Wairabapa Daily,

Sir,—lt is now sixteen years since the Volunteers of the Wairarapa were first enrolled. I observed in your report of Mr Bunny's meeting that a difference of opinion appears to exist as who first introduced the Volunteer Scrip Act. As an old Volunteer who had taken an interest in the matter, permit me through the columns of your esteemed journal to relate the circumstances as they have occurred.

One of the first acts of our zealous member, Mr Bunny, after he had taken his seat in the House of Representatives, was to confer a substantial benefit to those' men who had taken up arms several years before in defence of their homes and in the maintenance of law and order.

The Volunteer Scrip Act was accordingly introduced by Mr Bunny and became law. This Act empowered superintendents of provinces, with the approval of the members of the Council, to grant remission certificates in the purchase of waste lands to the amount of thirty pounds to each Volunteer. But Dr. Featherston and his party who were then in office were adverse to this grant, and therefore the Act remained a dead letter for some time.

The Masterton Rifle Volunteers were the first Corps to move in this matter, and accordingly a resolution was passed authorising the Commanding Officer to take such steps as he deemed most advisable, The officer at once placed himself in communication with nearly all the. members of the Council, and interviewed Mr Bcnall who then represented the Wairarapa in the Council. Mr Renall, I need hardly mention, entered into the matter with great zeal, and moved in the next sitting of the Chamber that it was desirable a bill should be brought in by the Provincial Government in accordance with the Act of the General Assembly. This Bill was passed by a large majority and became law.

Some time after application was made to the Supertendent to grant to the Volunteers who had completed their five years service the remission certificates provided by law, but this request was absolutely refused on the grounds as ho alleged of the indebtedness of the Province, and in consequence the Masterton Corps were obi iged to take further action. A circular letter was sent to each commissioned officer in the Province, inviting the cooperation of the Volunteers, A meeting of delegates of each Corps was agreed on, and met at the Royal Oak Hotel, in Carterton, resolutions were passed, funds provided, and the matter was at once placed in the hands of Mr Travers, the solicitor, in order to force a compliance with the law, and tho remission certificates were soon after handed over to eacli commanding officer. Mr Bunny was the first promoter of this benefit to the man of small msans, and deserves the support of every Volunteer in the district at the comint; election. I am, etc., An ex-Volunteer.