THE VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8929, 20 October 1894, Page 7

THE VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE.

THEUEPORT. (PRXSS ASSOCIATION TBLBO&AM.) WELLINGTON, October 19. It is understood that the chief recommendations of the Volunteer Conference are—The strengthening of the defences of Wellington and Lyttelton harbours ; the arming of the forces with Martini-Henry rifles ; protection of the cable station; a total reserve of a million rounds of small arms ammunition at nil times at the five centres, recommended in Colonel Fox's report, the Colonial Ammunition Companyio havefehe contract fora period of years to supply, small arms ammunition ; all batteries'of field artillery to be properly equipped; that field artillery are not to have issued to them either rifles or small anna ammunition, but t» be drilled and equipped entirely, within the limits of their own arm; the appointment of an officer to be commander of the forces; the adoption of the battalion system for rifle corps and the brigade system for Navals; the Naval Artillery outside the centres to be modified aud after three years to be clothed in the general uniform of the Volunteers, and to be looked >pon as rifle corps ;an amendment of the system of capitation ; alt corps to be allowed - a certain training annually-in camp with an allowance of Is 6d per day per man; the increase of the small arms ammunition allowance from 100 to ISOI round*';' naval and garrison artillery only to be required to pass through the course*laid dowa for the garrison artillery of the.lmperial service j only the baads at the centres to be recognised as garrison bands j the grant td the New Zealand Rifle Association to be abolished and the money'distributed among the various corps for prize money ; the grant to Eifle Clubs also to be discontinued. A more rigid enforcement of the regulations is urged. ■'.