OUR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 505, 24 January 1906, Page 4

OUR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your last issue you had a leading article dealing with Volunteering in general and the local corps in particular, in connection with which I should like to say a few words. As regards the disbanding of the Alexandra Rifles, I am glad to say that as a result of the meeting held in camp there is no intention of so doing. The present camp has so far been the most successful held for a long time, and the attendance shows more in the way of the corps going ahead than backwards. I should like, however, to voice what is to me a grievance with regard to volunteering in Alexandra. I do not think that the Alexandra Rifles are accorded the public support that should be given them. In the event of our Empire going to war, the man who in these days possesses some knowledge of how war should be conducted is invaluable to his country, and these men should be and are entitled to the good wishes and support of those who, for various reasons, stand to one side. Now, since the local corps was first enrolled, what measure of support has the public of Alexandra given them ? The first year a.bazaar was held, which was most successful. Since that bazaar, the company has supported itself through good years and bad. We have paid away some for uniforms, all of which money has been earned by the members themselves, who have never since the bazaar approached the public in any way. What local institution in Alexandra can show the same record for six years ? But outside of financial matters I contend there should be a public moral support, which, I regret to say, I have rarely seen in Alexandra by any of its influential citizens. I consider that anyone should, if they do no more, accord the corps that moral support. A little encouragement goes a long way with most people, and there are many ways in which the general public of Alexandra could show their appreciation of the services, which our small company is rendering not only to the. town in particular but to the Empire as a whole. It is a common thing to hear outsiders making sarcastic remarks in regard to the company, instead of recognising that members of the corps give not only a certain proportion of their spare time to the work but that these members if they attend to their drill and instruction are learning duties and information which they not only never forget, but are performing, as a matter of fact, duties which the general public should be indebted to them for.' There is no doubt that a few people consistently running down volun* teering affects not only the strength but the moral tone of any corps, and I think it is quite time that this sort of disparagement was taken notice of and those croakers told to mind their own business. There is no compulsion re joining a company, and these who do join should be encouraged and not run down. I v wish to say that as regards this letter I am not referring to the general public but to a few individuals in particular; and I should like the general public to sit on these particular few and in this way show the corps that moral support mentioned above. In conclusion, sir, I would like to appeal to the many able-bodied young meirof Alexandra, who by joining the corps and giving a small proportion of their time to volunteering will make the local corps one of the best in the colony. There is plenty of material, bone, muscle and brains amongst those young men to put the company in a position second to none. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, &c, W. S, Laidlaw Captain Alexandra Rifles, .