THE PREMIER'S ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 5

THE PREMIER'S ACTION.

A PROMPT OFFER

TROOPS AND MAXIM GUNS

THE TUTANEKAI FOR DESPATCHES.

Our Wellington Correspondent telegraphed iis as follows this morning:

WELLINGTON, this day

In view of the urgent need of an increased landing' forde at Samoa, the Premier yesterday communicated with His Excellency the Governor on behalf of the New Zealand Government, offering the services of the Government steamship Tutanekai for carrying any 'despatches that the Imperial Government may wish to be . forwarded forthwith to Samoa. Mr Seddon, believing that what is Wanted to bring things to a speedy conclusion is. a land forded to co-operate with the British and American navel forces now at the Islands, also offered on behalf of the Government a battalion of armed constabulary and volunteers. It would take at least a fortnight before iVmerican troops could be brought to the scene of operations, whilst a force could be landed there from New Zealand within six days. There are two Maxim guns at Auckland, and their appearance on the scene would have a salutary effect on the headcatchers of Samoa. \

The Premier is strongly of opinion that New Zealand commercial interests are largely bound up ■■with the future of the South Sea Islands, and he believes this) is an opportunity which should not be lost, to have the British and. American Naval forces co-operating with the New Zealand land forces in the maintenance of law and order and the observance of the Berlin Treaty. It would be an object lesson that would do good and prove to the world that we know how important it is to this and the other colonies to maintain our supremacy in the Pacific Islands. .

The Premier was delighted on being Informed that a battalion of Auckland volunteers had offered their services to the Government to the commander of the forces. He hopes the Imperial authorities will accept our offer, as it is much, more sensible than sending Colonial troops to Egypt or the Soudan.

The Premier regrets that we have not a Maori company in the Auckland Province, for £hey excel at. bush fighting, and at the present' juncturewould be invaluable.

It is considered lucky that the Tutanakai is at Auckland, and having the volunteers in camp, active service and bush experience would be a' serviceable training.

Speaking to your representative today the Premier said 'The action of the British and American Consuls and the Captains of the British cruisers makes me feel proud of being an Englishman, and any help we can give them will be appreciated by every well-wisher of the Empire, and will tend to show the Germans that treaty, obligations must be observed Firmness and decision are requisite on occasions like this, and I hope the action we have taken. Svill not be put down to jingorism, but to an earnest desire to help at a juncture where assistance is necessary.'.

THE PERMANENT FORCE

As will be seen from the above telegram the Premier offers the services of the Permanent Force available here. The "Permanent Force is divided into the "No's. 1 and 2 Service Companies, the No. 1 being the Garrison Artillery, who man the guns of the forts, and the No. 2 having charge of sub-marine mining- and torpedo operations. The present total strength of th« Pevmanent Force at Auckland is" about forty-two, the officers in command being Captain Mackenzie, R.A. (No. 1 Company), and Captain Coyle (No. 2 Company). The men are in barracks at Fort Takapuna and at the Submarine Mining Depot, North Head. Their small arms are Martini-Enlield Carbines. At the time of the Hold-, ang-a Maori rising- last. May n field column of about 120 of the Permanent Force was concentrated at Rawene, but. most of these were taken tip to Hokianga from Wellington by the s.s. Hinemoa, a considerable number being recruits from the depot, at Wellington. The men received some excellent, training- in the field while at Hokiang-a, which will stand them in good stead should they be required at Samoa. Captain Coyle, of Devonport, was one of the officers of the expedition on that occasion, and one of the four field g-uns taken to Rawenen was a Maxim from Devonport. The two Maxim guns at the North Shore forts are excellent weapons for stopping1 a rush or decimating- an enemy in clo<?e formation, and can fire GOO shots a minute. Some of the Permanent Force men and non-coms, are veterans who have seen service in the late Maori campaigns. The force here is small, but the Wellington men cotild easily be run up the West Coast.

THE NO. 1 BATTALION

The No. 1 Auckland Rifle Battalion, whose services are oered, is a comparatively new organisation, most of the companies have had only a short existence. The No. 1 Victoria Rifles is the senior company, and is in fact the oldest volunteer rifle company in the province. The College Rifle.s, which is a smart eommpany, comes next. There are eight rifle companies in the battalion, and the total strength is about 450 officers and men. The actual numbers of each company will be seen by a glance at the parade state in connection with the -Easter Encampment published elsewhere in this issue. The chief weakness of the battalion is the youth, of many of the rank and file, added to which is the fact that a great deal has yet to be learnt lay them in the way of drill. The members are, however, enthusiastic and eager.to teara. The arms are the Martini-Enfield rifle, a longrange weapon, wliich carries the .303 ammunition, and the newly-adopted triangular bayonet. The companies comprising the battalion are as follows:—No. 1 Victoria Rifles, College Rifles," Nos. 1, 2 and ?> New Zealand Native Rifles. No. 2 Victoria ItifHs, Auckland Rifles and Newton Rifles. The whole is under the command of Major T..L. Murray, who is an old, and enthusiastic vohmteers officer, and who was formerly in command, of the Thames Scottish Rifles. Captain Major, who is a very smart drill, is adjutant,to the. battalion. Of. course, if the services of the battalion should chance to be accepted, the wh,ole of the battalion would not be taken; A judicious selection would be made and only picked men taken, probably a half or third of the total battalion strength. . , The Government steamer Tiuanekai is at present lying at the railway wharf ready for an emergency. ; it would take about seven days to steam direct from here to Samoa. H.M.s. Tauranga* which has ,icnn(H' H.M. ships Porpoise* and Royalist' at Samoa, has a crew of about 300 men.