The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 2621, 30 April 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Ecjual and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, APRIL JO, ISS9. »

We are glad to see that the gross misconduct of the volunteers who took part, in the late Efister encampment at Hamilton is to form the subject of n, searching investigation at tlie hands of the authorities. It is sincerely to be hoped the inquiry will be a most thorough and uncompromising one, not only for the sake of the guiltless in the force but, because the merit of the volunteer system as an efficient and reliable arm of the colony's defences i.s at stake. Tlie encampment was hold in the centre of a district that has witnessed many a scene of iual warfare, and has known the presence of the gallant and disciplined troops of England. Numbers of old Imperial veterans, and colonials who have seen hard service iu the Waikato regiments, beheld the so-called military movements and the behaviour of the Auckland roughs who had donned the Queen's uniform. To them it was a degrading spectacle, and they were filled with indignation and shame at what was, to then), nothing short of a desecration. The eyes of the public, and of every true volunteer, have been opened to the utter farce of the system. We referred in a recent article to the weak points of the organisation, an entire remodelling of which must be eflectnd if it is to be made of any value to the country as a source of protection in caso of danger. The volunteer force should be something far above an undisciplined and disorderly rabble, possessed only of a mere shadow of the military character. We can expect such conduct as was seen in Hamilton, where even respectable women were not exempt from cowardly insults, amongst the heterogeneous ranks of a militia, which occupies the lowest sc.de in the defence scheme of any country. But a volunteer force fills a more honourable position than a militia. It should be composed of the flower of the manhood and valour of the citizens of a free country, who, whilst not making the profession of arms their sole occupation, at the same time offer their services voluntarily for tho defence of their country and willingly submit themselves to military training and discipline. Such is the British Volunteer Army, who are in every sense of the word, true, efficient soldiers, the pride of their country and tho ad miration oven of the military nations of Europe. Why cannot we emulate them as near as possible in our own system? Why is it that the officers in our Volunteer service have so little power, can command so little control, over their men? The reason is in a great measure because of that accursed and unhealthy fear of the democracy which his filled the whole of our political and social structure and weakens all our institutions. The officers fear their men. When we see officers on duty pfiss men who do not snlnte them, who are addressed with off-hand familiarity, and, in giving an ordor,nre insolently told to " (!o back and mend watches," or other similar expressions, the whole concern i.s at once apparent a.s a huge farce. We are far behind even tlie Australian colonies in our military organisation, as wo find on enquiry. In New South Wales, for instance, the volunteer force is framed on a true military basis, without any approach to sham ; and if wo compare their system Avitli ours wo will seo how solid is the foundation of the one aud how unstable that of tho other. The ranks of New Zealand companies can be entered by election, members proposing and voting , for any friends who wish, or havo been persuaded, to joiii. Provided he has the shape of a. man, the candidate is readily accepted. Iα Now South Wales a recruit must apply for admission, and if ho is up to the .standard and can pass the medical examination, he is admitted to the recruit squad, and has to drill three or four nights a week until efficient to join the ranks. He is then drafted into any company that may be short of its complement. On the other side, the Government provides the volunteer with his uniform, which is returned to store on his quitting the service. The New Zealand volunteer's uniform costs him £3 Cs, which he pays for when joining, whilst, at the present rate of capitation, it takes him two years to recoup himself, provided he makes himself an efficient. Our volunteers pay to become such, and receive nothing in return from the Government. In Australia the efficient volunteers must put in a monthly parade on a Saturday afternoon each month, for which they are paid fa've shillings per man, and are kept under the strictest discipline. We pay our men nothing at any time, though they are required to attend eighteen parades in the course of the year. It is the firm conviction of critics who are competent to judge of these matters, that our volunteer service can never attain effectiveness until the men are paid and are placed under a strict regime, embracing a Mutiny Act. There would l»e no additional burden placed on tlie public revenue by this, beyond the payment of one or two Imperial held officers to take supreme command of the whole force. Until last year the capitation grant was £o, when it was reduced to 30a. It is now, we believe, intended to again raise it. If, however, the Government provided the uniform, which would be a prime cost iu the. volunteer's first year o£ service, :tml allowed three J Shillings fo- fueli monthly pyra rl e, wiUi a grant of live shillings per htfud to tlw cooipiiu/a i'ttudsj i-lieru

would be no extra cost to the country, but there would be the moral certainty of gaining a reliable force of superior men that would be a credit and not a dishonour to New Zealand, We should adopt the efficient system in vogue in New South Wales, take away the power now placed in tlie men, have the commissioned officers appointed by the Government, and the non-commissioned officers by the commissioned officers of each company, according to merit. Above all things discipline should be enforced. Our volunteer body is intended to take the place of a regular army ; if they cannot be made so except in name, it is far better to be without any force at all than such as we have now. Companies that behaved as some did at the late encampment should be struck of!" the list; it is the best punishment that can be meted out to them.