VOLUNTEERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1076, 26 April 1867, Page 5

VOLUNTEERING.

To the Editor of tho New Zealand HV.ram. «?iw —The thanks of the community aro due to you for your advocacy of the cause in jour leading article April 19th. As your remarks therein aro m the ma n correct and to the purpose, as wo shall for tho Sf'r e hare to depend on ourselves for defensive pur"l would it not be as well for those members of i foe community who have heavy stakes therein, to f" a [ er br their means, and countenance a cause wiohh "; v enable them to avoid tho alternative of a military service themselves, for it is quite certain if the <ame"apathy is allowed to continue, tho few A olimteers at present existing will disappear, and the whole community will have to take their clianco of being compelled to serve. For it is not reasonable to sup_,e weak corps uowenrolled will bo content to bear the burthen of the whole eoumunity which is liable to the same services. Tho ruler of France lias lately said the influence of a country depends on the number of men it is able to put under arms, this will apply to us aptlv as to any European nation, as an a rmed force is more to shew what we could do than for the purpose of oflence. . When a voutli at school or college acquires what is this sense called the art of self-defence ho does so only for the purpose of defending himself from ruffiansbv whom he may be at any time assailed. In like manner a community skilled in the uso of arms wi'l always have tho advantage of tliat skill should thev unfortunately be called upon to oxemfC it, and bv that superiority alone would inspire respect and consideration, as witness the Americans in tho war for independence, the Swiss in all times, and tho Prussians reeenilv. It may bo asked how wealthy members of tho community can forward the movement X answer by becoming honorary members, by giving their advice and pecuniary assistance such, and by advocating the cause amongst their own class, not as a temporary expedient tut as a thing for all time. It is quite certain as things are wo can only augment out present means of defence by calling oat the Ist class .Militia ; they -would be unwilling to serve unless the other classes were liable to serve also. This, irrespective of the expense would, show the good to be obtained m fostering by all means volunteering.— lam,&c " _____ J - c - s -