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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9703, 15 April 1897, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TRES3.

Sra,— It is to be trusted Volunteers will not forget Easter, 1897, arid the vile bing they received at the hands 6f the Defence authorities, aided and abetted as they undoubtedly were by Zealaudia's Dictator, and that they will with their hosts of friends ptit their feelings into pi-actlce a. ths ballot box whenever the opportunity occurs. Government may rest assured that although Volunteers have to gi-ih and bear the said snubbing at present without a murmur, they will not forget or forgive this present injury* The amuiuhition is rotten and defective, and in tbe event of hostilities would be absolutely useless. Then again free passes are prohibited, to wit, a Christchuroh company of infantry challenged a Dunedin corps of the same arm on Monday by wire to fire a match here. The challenge was accepted, aud preparations were itiade to receive and entertain the visitors, Avhen a reply was received from Dunedin saying they wdre Unable t6 coins, because they were not allowed free passes, although in the lively of Government. The team would have occupied ten seats, or one half of a railway ear. I should be glad to know in what way Government encourages our Volunteers. We ail know how they discourage them. This abandonment Of camp has put the •.liniaxto it alii -~No Tcason is- given other; than i_B_ffi6ient time. \jfe_l" every oentros had from' Saturday last io the following' Thtirsday-i-fiVB days. If a local force of under 500 meft cannot be placed in the field under canvas in five days the whole thing is a farce and quite useless. .. Eorty-eiglit hours should be ample tune. The local papers deserve the thanks of every Volunteer for doing their best to further the holding of the proposed camp. If other Departments carry out their duties in the same way as the Defettoe Department, then the Lord help New Zealand and the administration of her. laws. One Word more. Volunteers, let this be your watchword at electionEaster ! _7.—Yours, &c, Disgusted.