THE DEFENCE FURCE.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 8

THE DEFENCE FURCE.

THE COMMANDANT'S REPORT.

(Fhosi Our Own Correspondent.) Wjeixinston, November 5,

Colonel Ponton's report on the defence forces was presented to the House to-day. He' finds the material of which the force is composed is on the whole excellent. As regards the permanent forces, he points out that there are not sufficient officsrs to keep a proper Bpirit of discipline among the moo. He thinks the number should be increased and that imperial rfficera should be obtained from EugUnd. He condemns the system of taking cadafs from the civil lisb and recommends that three artillery officers' be got out from Home at OL-ce on a three years' jengagement. On the^questioh'- of discipline Colonel" Penton expresses himself strongly, nor does he think the men take a proper pride in themselves^ as soldiers should do. He deprecates allowing the men to wear plain clothsa, unless uudec | special circumstances, and regarding permitting men to marry says thit the presence' oE a large proportion of married men ia a m force does not tend to raise its military efficiency. He recommends that an additional artillery in&tructor should be appointed at, once. He condemns the sjs'eoa of letting men go from the permanent force to the police. He recommends that the strength at Auckland should be raised to 126 ; Lytteltoo, 77 ; Dunedin, 59 ; Wellington, 159. Concernirg the voiuntee-s Colonel Penton strongly urges that four field batteries should be ordered from Horn?, one battery to be kept at each centre. Esch battalion should have its own commanding officer and adjutant. . No new corps should bs formed in isolated stations. The volunteer force is efficient at present np to a certain point, but more field training is required. More encouragement in a pecuniary shape should be given to the men to turn out to afternoon drill. Three infantry instructors should be gob fcom the Imperial forces, aud each district and each battalion should have a sergeant instructor — 17 in all. A school of instruction should be established at Weilington.

Auckland, November 5.

For some time pasb there have been rumoars of dissension and dissatisfaction among the ranks of the Permanent Artillery, and it is stated these have culminated in the resignation of several of the members. Ona of the principal'causes of complaints is that members of the Permanent Artillery are now compelled to wear military attire whether on or off duty, and it is stated that considerable indignation has been expressed at the enforcement of this rule. Some time back an inquiry wes held as to the truthfulness or otherwise of certain allegations made vg&inst a member, with the result, it is reported, that the offender was dismissed from the service. Last week another inquiry was held, this investigation having a Bomowhat broader scope than the preceding

one. Certain complaints were laid against a member of the- artillery by one o£ the principal officer*, and in returu tha alleged offender made a complaint against his superior, -who under ordinary circumstances would probably have inquired into and adjudicated upon the matter himself. The complaint; lodged by the subordinate, however, rendered tha adoption of this course impossible, and, further, the member against whom the allegations' have been made applied for the whole matter to bo heard before an independent tribunal — an officers' board, — and this it is understood waft done las b weoij, when Major Banks and other officers sat and took evidence. The statements of the men aud officials were, it is stated, taken* and the inquiry haa now been conoluded and the evidence forwarded to Wellington.