THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 4 April 1899, Page 4

THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

The exciting events which have been associated with the Easter encampment of the Auckland volunteers. this year must render the occasion especially memorable to all of us. W Te have never accustomed ourselves to take volunteering altogether seriously; we have regarded it rather as a pastime than as a business of great national importance. While some even attempt to belittle and ridicule the movement as too.insignificant to be of much use in the* case, of actual hostiUties, others are almost entirely indifferent to. it, urging that against any attack we are likely to'be subjected to the Mother Country will be well able to defend us.. With neither view have we the least-sym-pathy, but we cannot shmt our eyes to the fact that the in-luence of such opinions tells markedly on volunteering generally. Were it not for such

views it is certain that among all classes volunteering would have occupied a very different position in the public estimation from what it does; would have been more generously supported; and the volunteers themselves would have been inspired with a greater confidence and pride in their work. In common with many othert? we have endeavoured from time: to time in these columns to arouse a deeper public interest in volunteering here" a.> 1 to insist on the most salient aspects of its usefulness. We never flattered ourselves, that we had been very successful in breaking the apathy which existed in regard to this matter or in implanting some vital belief and enthusiasm among our fellow' colonists. Mere words are' evidently of little use to that end. But we'are glad to think that in so far as Auckland is concerned our desire to see the volunteer movement quickened into an activity it has never known is likely to be forwarded by outside and unexpected circumstances. I The effect on the world generally of Mr Seddon's offer of men to aid in the Samoan crisis has already been dwelt on. To a certainty, it will in many ways enhance the reputation of the colony beyond Australasia. In the Old Country our readiness to volunteer for service and our apparent preparedness for action must be welcome proofs of our loyalty and military efficiency, while to • the other nations it cannot but suggest the widespread power and the unity of the Empire. But quite apart from the kudos we gain abroad, we are looking forward to reaping a still greater advantage in the colony itself, and particularly in Auckland, from which the offer of assistance emanated. If we are not greatly mistaken, the fact of the proposal made by Major Murray and responded to with such alacrity by practically all fee men in the camp has worked a change in the view Aucklanders generally take of volunteering and the volunteers. The whole movement has begun to wear a different complexion from what it did formerly. There is something more than child's play in it now. To say that people were surprised at the enthusiasm displayed by our boys and their eagerness to be sent to Samoa would almost be to hint that they distrusted their courage. But it can truthfully be said that the public never ( ,pictured the occasion as it actually turned out. On Sunday, and yesterday, the camp at Epsom wore an air of business and earnestness that does not as a rule belong to these holiday manoeuvres. It might be said that by his action Major Murray had done as much to make soldiers of the men and lads as six months' drill could have done. Not that they were'by any means in the same condition of physical fitness and smartness or mental training which half a. year's exposure to the stern necessities of a real camp would have ensured; that was not to be expected. But he must have been an unobservant spectator indeed who failed to notice t,he military spirit that pervaded almost every man and prompted him to hold himself and carry himself like a soldier. The evolutions were gone through on both days in a vigorous and hearty style.- There was an, absence of that slovenliness and carelessness which often marks these gatherings. The men had forgotten' that they were 'only volunteers,' and felt they were soldiers, as they were-in-deed. • ■'",'

Does anyone believe that,the- spirit that had its birth at the Easter Encampment will altogether die? Naturally it will subside, particularly if as is most likely, the assistance tendered

to the Imperial Government- is not re. quired. But we are hopeful—nay, wa are confident—that its effect on volun. teering here will be permanent. Unless we are a peculiarly indifferent people, this incident that has marked our Easter Encampment will leave & lasting impression both on our volunteers and on the public; and while it will foster an enthusiasm for amateur soldiering—if we can call it amateur, when any day it may develop into a serious business—among our young men it will lend to the movement a dignity and importance it has never, worn in the eyes of our population since the days when our citixen soldiery took the field for the defence of their homes against the Maori insurgents. - ~_