THE VOLUNTEERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11235, 5 April 1897, Page 6

THE VOLUNTEERS.

THE EASTEEENCAMPMENT. [From Oub Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, April 3,

A deputation consisting of Messrs Fisher and Hutchison, M.H.E.’s, waited upon the Premier ■ and the Defence Minister this morning, in order to protest against the decision not to hold the - usual volunteer encampments at Easter. Both the Premier and the Defence Minister denied that there was any 'intention on the part of the Government' to deprive the'volunteers of their annual instruction under canvas, but reports received from the officers in command of different districts, had recommended that owing to Easter falling so late this year, it would be desirable to postpone the encampments till later .on in the year. The date of encampment would be left to the volunteers to decide themselves. The Premier considered that it was unjust to accuse the Government of attempting to divert the vote for the encampment to cover the cost of sending a volunteer contingent Home. [Per Press Association.] Messrs Fisher and Hutchison, M.H.R.’s, waited on the Premier and represented that there was discontent on the part of many volunteers with reference 'to the abandonment of the Easter encampment. They had made inquiry among the local men, and found that there was a consensus of opinion in favour of holding it as usual, instead of, as suggested, on the Prince of Wales's Birthday or at Christmas. The Premier replied that it was a matter of entire indifference to the Government as to when the encampment was held. It had acted wholly on Colonel Pole-Ponton’s report. Ho had pointed' out officially that for the three preceding Easters the weather was so uniformly bad as to discourage the idea of holding these gatherings at that season. The Government *wa§'' bound to defer to the Commandant’s opinion, but he Premier strongly repudiated the suggestion put ■ forward .t bat the,. Go vermn ent desired either to abandon the encampment or to change the time in order to save money for the benefit of the contingent going Home. As it appeared to be the desire to hold the encampment as usual, the matter would be reconsidered, and ho practically gave the deputation to understand that orders would be issued to that effect.