ON MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER ABUSES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1088, 1 October 1869, Page 2

ON MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER ABUSES.

SiE,~ln the Hon. the Native and Defence Minister's speech of August 24th, as reported in Mansard, No. 13, (for the late Session,) the following passages occur in reference to the Militia and Volunteers :— " They do not forget that they are free men, and they are not to be controlled by those who, in the army, are called ' martinets ;' but they are prepared to do their duty when it is shown to them, and if you place over thorn officers in whom they have confidence, they will respond when called upon," — "as they have lately done in Auckland and other provinces, where the treatment has been such as to command their respect and appreciation." "Above all things, they must be taught the use of firearms." " The settler who is in an isolated part of the country must depend upon his gun for defence ; but if he does not know its use, he loses confidence, and becomes helpless." Few, I imagine, will dispute the wisdom of the above sentences; for the facts are too painfully palpable to be ignored: more especially is the reference to " officers in whom they have no confidence" deserving of most earnest consideration, and it is evident, if efficiency is to be attained by the Volunteers and Militia, a radical change in the mode of obtaining their officers must be effected: for can it be denied that owing to the conduct of incapable officers, insubordination and mutiny nave frequently manifested themselves in periods of imminent peril P The detestable and ruinous system favored by the lato Government, of promotion otherwise than by merit, extended even to non-commissioned officers, — so that if by chance a good man had been elevated to a sergeant's or corporal's rank, he might, at a moment's notice, be ousted by favoritism or the meanest of intrigues. There is ample testimony that such a corrupt system prevailed in many distriots, but in none has the abuse assumed a more evil aspect than at Poverty Bay. After the massacre, this ill-omened place was so fortunate as to obtain, as sergeant of Volunteers and Militia, a young man, respectably connected, well-

educated, of irreproachable character; perfect in the knowledge of his duties, and respected by all, from the commanding officer down to the private., This young gentleman brought to $c performance of his onerous duties earnest enthiU siasm, steady zeal, and a conscientious desire to render the men efficient and froldierilike. No charge was ever brought against him: it was generally admitted that nothing could be more satisfactory than his conduct, and he was universally liked and esteemed. I may add that he was the first to enter the Wereroa pah when it was taken by Sir George Grey's direction. Nevertheless, this promising young fellow—after fighting the battles of the colony for many years — was superseded, a few weeks back, by a person who is thoroughly disliked, and who is as capable of imparting even the least knowledge of discipline or drill to a novice as the "man in the moon;" and it is strictly true that the supercession was brought about by the interloper and his relative— a lieutenant of Volunteers, who is so unpopular that he has been repeatedly asked to resign, and as often refused; this officer is, if possible, even more ignorant of the rudiments of military knowledge than the ambitious sergeant, — the greater part of his life having been passed among Maoris, as a keeper, in out-of-the-way places, of a hybrid establishment, — half store, half grog shanty,— in which capacity he sometimes found it difficult to ascertain the correct value of a kit of taiwas, or to total up the amount of a waipero bill. This little family arrangement was brought about by misrepresentation, and cajoling the commanding officer, — on whom no stigma for a most unfair piece of business is sought to be cast, as he was necessarily unaware of the nature of the influences brought to bear upon him ; and is — whatever else may be his faults—straightforward and just. Fortunately, a change is impending, which all who wish well to their adopted country must hail with pleasure. I, in common with others, have seen and admired the system of which Mr Brannigan is the able exponent. That system, if it be legitimately carried out, will revolutionize the effete and spurious semimilitary arrangements of the former patronage-creating regime; and will render the exclusion of good men from the prizes of a generous and good service impossible — as well as defeat the petty family compaots of Poverty Bay or other districts. Outlying places like this can only be rendered secure hy constant preparation, discipline, and judgment— blessings that will not be secured until the arrangements contemplated by the present Ministry are carried out, and until the liiesom of improvement has swept away the host of incapables; who, bearing lofty military* designations without the attendant essentials, render themselves ridiculous, and compel us to remember how all but a tithe of their number are superfluous and useless. — I am, &c. One who has Sebved the Colony. Turanganui, Sept. 12.