VOLUNTEERS OF THE DOMINION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 25, 24 October 1907, Page 6

VOLUNTEERS OF THE DOMINION.

NOT "WEEDS." • WHAT COLONEL DAVIES SAID. Mr. Hogg asked tho Acting-Minister for Defenco (Hon. R. M'Nab):—"".Whether his attention lias been-called to a public statement said to have been made at Christchurch recently by Colonel -R.■ H. Davids,-oho of tho paid officers of the Defenco .Forces- of the Dominion, to the effect that the Volunteers of the Dominion were"" weeds" ; , and 'wlietber tho Minister .proposes to' take any action in ,thp matter, in view of the, unfounded nature of Colonel Davies's allegation? . (2), Whether.: tho, Minister's attention has been drawn to the alleged public advocacy by Colonel. 11. H. Davies. of "a question 'of State policy—namely, compulsory universal military training for the people-of Now Zealand; aiid; whether the Minister intends to take any disciplinary action in the matter, seeing .that members of the Defence .'Forces,.'aro' forbidden by the regulations.-mi-,der the .Defenco,, Act -to take any public part in political-agitation•?!• .....;: . . Tho Minister replied: ." The : attention of the Acting-Minister' of Defence has been called to what-was alleged 'to''have- been stated by Colonel R. H. Davies at Christchurch recently j with .the result ' that the Minister 'is satisfied, that the \ honourable member has been misinformed regarding the statcmonts.,made ; by the Colonel. The local newspaper report of tho speech delivered convoys no suggestion that the Volunteers of this Dominion were described as "weeds." Tho officer :■ in question was describing the nature of tho military service of the various nations of the world,' and stated that every nation, except Britain and America, hail some form of compulsory service. Speaking of universal military service. , . Colonel Davies stated thai it meant that the flower of the nation,, tho brightest and best, would bo its soldiers, not the weeds. The Colonel was not speaking of tho Now. Zealand Volunteers, when-lie was making the statement, but was ; defending universal military servico from the charge of bringing into tho ranks of the /soldiers only tho weeds of the country. Colonel iDavies's. report on page 21 of' Parliamentary Paper H.-10 of this session gives his personal opinion of, the Now Zealand Volunteers in the following , words:—"Tho men.are of superior education and intelligence • and good physique":. Of the field: artillery .he says, "They aro of a very good stamp and are keen." "The' Mounted Rifles aro generally of very Mod physique."■'; ' "The Field Hospital and" Bearer Corps are smart, keen, and well up in their.duties."' Speaking generally of the. stato of efficiency of'tho .men,' ho says, ."Tho' excellent material of which tho, force of this country is composed demands highor training and qualifications in its officers.', Again, 'The rank and fnVboing of a much higher standard of intelligence than- is usual in tho Forces, demands higher standard still ■ in the : officers." This completely disaprqves the " suggestion that tho ' Colonel holds 'such . views as are- attributed to him. Jho only, assertion that... tho . Colonel's statement . regarding "weeds" referred to tho. Now Zealand-Vol-unteers appears in a telegram associated with the name of an ex-officer ■of Volunteers who resigned during Colonel Davics's command of his. district. 'liv regard to the second question . asked, tho Colonel did not express any ' opinion on any political question. Addressing tho gathering, he urged the ladies present to endeavour to secure " by. sentiment, and not by politics," , universal sorvico amongst the young men of this country. It is quite' a •proper thing for officers to urgo everyone to train for tho defence of their country and to enjoin the Volunteers' to do' so." ■■■■: -