VOLUNTEER SERVICE.

Marlborough Express, Volume I, Issue 67, 22 March 1880, Page 3

VOLUNTEER SERVICE.

I To the Editor of the Express. Sir, —During the past few days two circumstances have been recorded in your pages,:,which afford food for reflection, and when taken in juxtaposition do not present to our mental Vision a very favorable picture of the spirit of the age. The jubilant notes of the Brass Band, which went forth to welcome ourj war-like representatives on their return from Nelson are still fresh in my memory. Nor do lin the slightest degree envy our citizen soldiers the triumphs they have won. But . I cannot help asking the simple question. ‘‘ Is the game worth the candle ? ” The colony is Tu a state of senu-insolveney. That portion of the revenue voted-for the purchase bf rolling stock for our railways has been-uuder the pressure of hard times appropriated to the relief of that surplus labor, which the wealthy classes have imported at the expense bf the colony for the purpose of jreducing wages. Failures, bankruptcy and distr ss stare us in the face on every hand. And yet in the midst of all this what are we doing ? Simply squandering thousands of pounds and much valuable time in making a portion of our fellow men as perfect as possible in the art of destroying human- life. What is military science but a knowledge of the best means for wholesale slaughter ? What randers the whole thing so absurd to my mind ia the utter inefficiency of all the troops we could raise to deal with the only danger with which in the minds of some old ladies we are supposed to be threatened, namely, the invasion of our ports by hostile cruisers. A thousand rifles and a few light pieces would be no protection against the shot’ and shell of a heavily armed corvette. AU the injury we could inflict onsuch an enemy, would be like a lady’s whip to a vicious horsemake him kick the harder, It strikes me, sir, that these facts are as patent to every thinking man as they are to me, and yet what a vast amount of enthusiasm exists for this art of war. So much for one' picture. Now turn to another class of volunteers who have no imaginary enemy to contend with, whose practice and duty are in no way connected with holiday pastime. Men, too, that have, on more than one occasion, stood bravely to their posts amidst the hoat> turmoil, and danger of a real engagement; who have bravely striven to save, not studied destroy; whose organisation is for the preservation of life and property, even at the peril of their own. How do these men fare ? The resolution published by you on Wednesday evening is a convincing reply. Night after night this little remnant of the Brigade have met, and tried to keep up the spirit of their corps. Left without funds, or even kindly recognition, they could holdout no inducement to younger members to join' their ranks. Ever since the first , year of its formation the 8.Y.F.8. has had a struggle to exist. Public support was only obtained by begging from door to door, those who undertook the disagreeable duty being: frequently exposed to, sneers, and which their zeal in a good cause enabled them to treat with the cbntempt it deserved. Several attempts were made to pump up a,little local enthusiasm by torchlight processions, enginechristenings, aind public dinners, but in every instance the officers and members have been personally out of pocket, and the only - result produced was a mere flash in. the pan. With'the foregoing facts, [before me, how can Ido otherwise than believe that society is of opinion .that it is far morei destroy our fellow creatures thanit is td preserve them' from a danger that cometh like a thief in the night. I was the’first to publicly advocate the establishment of a fire brigade in Blenheim; —l little dreamt, when doing so, I should have to mourn over its decay.—Yours&c., ./- I .-Ik ..>u, March XI, 1880. vfcy