IS INVASION POSSIBLE?

Evening Star, Issue 11168, 17 February 1900, Page 2

IS INVASION POSSIBLE?

[Bv Colonel Mourns.]

In a series of articles the writer will discuss the question of the colony's defences in the light of recent developments. Our weaknesses and necessities will be shown,

and a practicable and economical remedy propounded. No. 6. The Men Wanted.—All Can Help.—No Impressment nor Conscription.—The Governments Share.—-The Work to be Done. General Remarks.—Conclusion.

I have stated that I think there would be no difiicnly in raising roops. But this is hot sufficient. The troops must be retained, kept up to the mark, and trained to carry

out the duties that they will be expected to perform. In the first place every man enlisting in the mounted rifles will have to provide himself with a. horse. This at once points to the fact that the men will be of a different class to the volunteers of the town (.orps. These latter arc chiefly working men and artisans—as fine material for soldiers as can be obtained, but, as a class, unable to keep a horse. To fill the ranks of tho mounted rifles, therefore, wc must go to ihe merchants' offices, tho banks, the learned professions, the squatters, farmers, and tradesmen. The volunteers have hitherto been starved out. They have trusted almost entirely to the capitation granted by the Government, for their existence, and it has not been sufficient. Now, my idea is that the troops of mounted rifles should be more of a social dub, only that with pleasure is combined a patriotic spirit. Men of the class I have mentioned could afford to have

a. club-house where all could meet, could work up shooting competitions, get up a day’s outing in which outpost drill and a picnic could be united. Of course. Government should grant tho usual capitation, supply arms and Maxims, grant concessions for railway travel, etc., etc. ; but all this would only be a nucleus for the troop chest; the members would supplement this either by donations or subscriptions. I would here suggest that many most interested in preventing the violation of our shores by an

enemy are unable to give their personal services. either from age or business. Those gentlemen could show their loyalty and patriotism by subscribing nr becoming honorary members of the corps or clubs. By the means at which I have only hinted the

troops would, instead of being starved for want of funds, be to'a large extent independent of the Government—a fact which would certainly commend them to the authorities, with whom cash is not too plentiful. Still, with a big surplus such as that of which the Government boast, and in the face of European complications threatening war, wo may expect a loosing of the State purse strings until at least Lhc troops are raised and all arrangements for their up-keep settled.

It has been suggested that in lieu nf volunteers the Now Zealand militia should be mobilised or that all young men from tho age of eighteen to twenty-three should bo compulsorily made to drill. No doubt if we could have a number nf young meu forced to attend drill and be trained we should in the course of a few years have a fine, useful body of soldiers. Bub lam astonished at

anyone suggesting cither plan in free and democratic New Zealand. Wo might expect something of the kind in the despotism of the Old World, but in this colony every man would resist what he would regard as impressment or conscription. No; we have a fine, intelligent, educated populace to deal with, and wc must appeal to their reason. Point out the absolute necessity of troops to defend our hearths and homes, our wives, families, and property, and there should be no difficulty in filling the ranks. If there is, then we must enlist the ladies on our side—the mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, and sweethearts—and woe betide the young men who then refuse lo handle a rifle in iheir defence. I believe many think that all that

is now necessary for the safety of the colony is for the Government to provide a, sufficiency of weapons and ammunition to arm all and sundry when an enemy appears mn our coasts. But to place arms in the hands of totally untrained and undisciplined men is worse than useless. For example, we have before us the report of the American socalled cowboy regiment in Cuba. This corps was formed partly from the elite of New York youth —men undoubtedly full of elan and spirit ; but- there had been no lime to train and discipline 'them, and consequently when unexpectedly under fire they lost their heads and fell into disorder.

Thc mounted troops that I call “ mounted infantry ” or “ mounted rifles ” arc true irregular horse ; and I should prefer to have them called by a title which would distinguish them from regular troops—say “Otago Bangers,'’ or some such name. They would be required to learn very little drill proper, such as marching and counter-marching, manoeuvring, etc., but they would be well practised in outpost, picket, and vedette duties, and as far as possible taught to rely on their own judgment and common sense in an emergency. Above all they must learn discipline and obedience to their officers. This is of paramount importance, as without discipline they will be but a rabble, no matter how good each individual trooper may be. I would impress the fact that to obtain the best class of young men for this service we must make these troops somewhat different from the usual volunteer corps. We must, as previously stated, mix with it a social element, so that each individual will feel that he is not only a trooper but a member of a select club, let us say. A mess-house should be rented at headquarters. The captain would bo mess-president, the lieutenant vice-president, and a committee of non-coms, and troopers would look after its interests. The military chest, in addition to the Government capitation, should be supplemented with an annual subscription.

say, of half a guinea for each trooper, and sympathisers in the movement if unable to give their services could become honorary members, paying a subscription, say, of five guineas. Of course I only throw out those ideas as hints, but I feel sure if the social element is well worked up the troops would become popular, and be In a short time almost independent of Government aid. In conclusion, I note that the Premier, at the Ward dinner the other day in Invercargill, stated that the recommendations of Colonel Fox would have resulted in the formation of a standing army, and he points to the enthusiastic volunteering for service in South Africa as a. proof that he was right in rejecting them. I agree with Mr Seddon that he was right, for whilst Colonel Fox’s proposals would have formed four small standing armies in the chief towns they also carried with them the disbandment of every country corps, and as a result the whole colony would have been open to assault. The Premier also stated that he intended to enrol more volunteers. If by this ho means that he has learnt the lesson taught us in South Africa, that a small but mobile force of mounted men, fair shots, who thoroughly kuow the country and are friendly with its inhabitants, can not only harass and annoy but absolutely defeat a larger and better armed force of the enemy which is dismounted, ignorant of the countrv, and inimical to the people, then ho will bo glad to carry out the scheme I propose, for my plan will yield the necessary men with a maximum of effectiveness and a minimum of cost.