THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8594, 22 September 1893, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —It is doubtful whether anything, short of an attack by an enemy on one of our colonies will make our Representatives seriously consider the question of defence, or, indeed, rouse the public from its apathy, and cause it to demand that those who are paid to carry on the Government- of the colony should adopt some other policy refarding the question/then bespattering the r olunteera with praise at banquets,, &c, during the recess, and " bluffing " all measures proposed by competent men, when brought before Parliament. The following facts may, however, assist some to form an opinion on tbe matter, which will be useful in view of the coming election.

Snider rifles were first issued in New Zealand in 1874, the Snider rifles are still the weapon with which our men are armedSir G. S. Whitmore, when commander' of tbe forces, in his report, in 1887, said "with regard to small arms the uncertainty of the Home Government as to the proper, arm had (at that date) prevented, the importation of any new description of arms for our volunteers till the question was settled of the best arm..or the service."

The Lyttelton" Times in November, 1889, gives an account of In interview with Major-General Edwards then visiting Christchurch, and the Major-General is reported to have said—'* The Snider which your men. have would be considered obsolete in any army. Ten men with the new rifles would be equal to fifty men with Sniders. They would kill all tbe latter without going near them, without coming within range of the Snider. It is important for your forces to have a really good rifle." In Major-General Edwards' report to the Governor, 1890, he says " The Snider is now obsolete and should be replaced by rifles of modern date. 16,000 are required." On the 2nd June, 1890, the Under-Secrer tary for Defence reports—"The force is still armed with the obsolete Snider rifle, many of which from fair wear Mid tear are in anything bnt a satisfactory condition, and it is to bi. regretted that this, cannot be remedied until magazine rifles are obtainable."'' On the 4th June, 1890, the Inspector of Volunteer-reports:—"Theriflesaadac-Outre-ments are well kept, but a magazine rifle is niuch needed to keep pace with the present army _n_m-try equipment. Captain Russell when speaking on "supply" in September, 1890, said—" The position of the force was this: they were armed with a weapon which as against the LeeMitford rifle was as useless as a bow and arrow would be against the Snider with which the force is now armed. He thought he was right in saying the volunteer force was not armed." Cablegram, Adelaide, May 19th, 1891— Major-General Downes being interviewed as to the work of the Defence Commission, in answer to a question as to whether New Caledonia holds any position of menace towards Eastern Australia, said he was decidedly of opinion, from information he had gathered, that there were about 3000 French troops there, and that the male convicts, to the number of about 9000, were drilled with wooden guns. This drill was of a nature to fit the men to take part in a land attack.

The Acting Under-Secretary for Defence reports, July Ist, 1891:—" The all important question of new rifles seems as far from solution as ever, but the determination to wait for the lead of the Imperial service in this respect is both wise and economical, and, if another twelve months can be tided over with the Snider now in use our patience should be rewarded by obtaining the best pattern _oaga_ine rifle procurable."" In October, 1891, the I-inister for Defence (Mr Seddon) is reported to have " inspected tbe volunteers at Nelson at their parade and complimented them highly. He said the country must rely on the volunteers mainly for "its protection." May 2nd, 1892: Lieutenant-Colonel Fox gazetted to command the New Zealand Forces. . __ June, 1892; When the estimates for De-

fence were being discussed, Mr -4sddo_ _*_* when his (Colonel Fox's) report was reeernl the Government would be prepared 4q_hl December 13th, 1892. Colonel Fox/order to be in a position to complete* ku report, asks for some indication a.tot__ annnal amount the Government w__u ,5? commend for tho up-keep of the Yehafc (v For-e. To this a reply is given oa the- « of February, 1893, and on the 14t_ F *_. ruary, 1893, Colonel Fox forward ijS report to the Governor. Colonel Fox in his exhaustive report _.*. the Snider rifles in use are worn oat __»!__* serviceable, and in many cases un__f«_!_ breech blocks being frequently blown ««* The Sniders have been in the colony fr__ nineteen to twenty-one years. F"___nJ Colonel Fox recommends the Mart__.l|__!j. rifle, and adds -1250 are required toanntS. force, and 1750 to be in reserve. *- The report was made public oaths _j June last by being laid on the tab}© _f _f House. Nearly three months have _«__ elapsed, the session is almost conx_U—lecLt—? defence estimates have been p-"_e_7__k Colonel Fox's report has not been CGBM&enA and the Volunteer Force in New Z_a___4|l in a moribund condition. *

From the latest news from Engl__«t-_ learn that about six weeks ago ]_>,-_ fty~ bery is reported to have remarked « have not been so near to war with -**-___ since Waterloo as we were last weef*^^ I will not comment ou the aboFinu* but simply ask your readers how they wonu answer the following questions:—

1. Is there a po__i_iiity cf the A-_jb_, lasian colonies, without previous wu____ being attacked by an enemy ? "^" 2. If so, are our men properly _rn_d *__ organised to resist such an attack . r 3. Is our Government doing i-d_t»_» regards the defence of our l-ndl—Ym? September 20th, 1893. '