CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 170, 15 April 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

CORRESPONDE NCE.

To the ’Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times

Dear Sir, —It is currently reported, that the Militia is again to be called out for training, and it is also reported that this movement ihas originated at the instigation of one or two men—who, to use the mildest term, are unnecessary alarmists, men who are constantly prating about the insecurity of the district, that some of the loaves and fishes may fall to their share. When the Militia was organized last spring all (without exception) showed their willingness to give the Maories an unmistakeable demonstration of what they had to expect from us, in the event of any disturbance, and it had a very salutary effect, for, from that time to the present, at least to all outward appearances, they have behaved extremely well, and orderly. At the present time, to again organize the Militia, is to give the inhabitants unnecessary trouble and annoyance, without any practical good resulting from it. Our Militia advocates will say, (as they have already),—Where are those hordes of Waikato savages to go in the inclemency of the approaching winter but to the fruitful province of Hawke’s Bay ? Will they come here Sir ? Will the natives of this Province allow them to come ? Have we not rather a guarantee, a sure and certain guarantee, in the Maori yearly rent roll of ,£16,000, derived from land leases from Europeans, as most effectually to check any warlike desires of theirs, and also protect us against approaching danger. This is the greatest security Hawke’s Bay has, far, far better than all the Militia and Volunteers put together. Unfortunately for this district there are men holding Commissions in the Militia, whose insatiable vanity nothing can appease —men who have purchased a Uniform and Sword and are only too anxious to display the one, and pocket the proceeds of the other, irrespective of the feelings of their fellow men whom they would be pleased to see bedecked with Forage Cap and all the et eeteras—harness enough for any bullock. These, Sir, are the men who would gladly see the Militia again called out, and who are striving tooth and nail for its accomplishment. Sir, if it is necessary to again call out the Militia, let the necessity first be shown, and the majority will doubtless willingly bend their backs to the burden. But on the other hand, if it is not a case of necessity but merely a false alarm in some old warrior’s brain, perhaps in penurious circumstances, who sees in perspective consecutive pay ; or the idea of some inflated settler with a Commission, Uniform and Sword ambitiously eyeing these toys, and longing to display them, (as some of our worthies already have done), let yopr voice, Mr. Editor, be put forth in behalf of the people, and condemn this unnecessary burden, let it be your noble aim to rouse the people to a just sense of impending annoyance, that they may petition the Authorities against so unnecessary and useless a burden. I am. Dear Sir, Yours, &c., Hyta. Ahuriri, 7th April, 1864.