The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3019, 19 November 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 1891.

At a review of volunteers lu'lrl at Ivuiiiaru, on tin' Priii-o of Wales' Ijirtlu'iiy, tin? Minister for D.-fenee (Mr Seikloii) whs present, uiul sulclrcsscd the p-irarlt?. .It. is not, ofti-n we cull fiidorsL- any of th<; or actions of Mr Swidon, lnu. on this occasion wo support Jiim in his views n'»:irciin» the Volunteer Forci'S. Tne D'-fenci; Miuistin - stilted ilmt. iu tiiiif-s of depression it had toruim-iy I'O'in the custom to cut ilinvn the volunteer vote, but this would not l>e done whilst he continci'.d in oliice, and tho capitation of every qualilii'd volunteer would Ijf) assured. Mr S ddou further remarked t.iint the country could not afford to support a standing army, ami that it, must 'look to tho voluncers as i'.s first line of defence. Wo presume the Minister is here refer-

t> land fores, as the navy must in-c-'.ss.-irtly Ik: the lirsf line of riefi'tw! of iinv country of insular position liku XewZeabiml. Wo an , ['.-irticiiliirlv u'l ; nl to )if:ir tliis c.x----r ression (if opinion from Mr Sivklon. We 11.iv(> often condemned the expenditure, wliicli was incurred in rrrcti n# forts at tli« various liarliours (if 11 if- colony. In case of emergency tlie j;uus at the fort.s would U) usplrss tlie loni; cannon, with which warships :irc now urnii'd. Tim penuanent force stationed aI. the ditri:reiit ports is riiiorher uselfiss expense and should bo di.slianded. If the forts, as wi! contend, cannot serve any useful purpose, there can be no reason for maintaining a highly paid permanent force. In any case the nrims could be served by the Artillery Voluntuers, who, under a better system of training, would become more efficient. We attach great importance to the proper and Hlicicnt treatment of our volunteer force. Every encouragement, which is possible for the Government to give to volunteers, should be given promptly and with no niggard hand. There are two essential points demanded in any military organisation —discipline and efficiency. We believe that these objects could be attained, at anyrate to a considerable extent, by paying volunteers for each parade and fining those who are absent without leave. This would give greater encouragement to the men, and place larger powers in the hands of the officers. Apart from the important question of defence, the military training in a volunteer corps is of considerable value to young men of all classes. Habits of discipline and prompt obedience to orders are important advantages in all walks of life. The volunteer force should be made sufficiently attractive to induce all young men who have any "go" in them to join, and we would gradually have a country trained to arms by a free and independent service. We hope to see the day that, if occasion required that a rifle should be placed in the hands of every ablebodied man in the colony, he would know how to use it.