SIR G. S. WHITMORE'S SCHEME OF DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 5

SIR G. S. WHITMORE'S SCHEME OF DEFENCE.

THE NEW -VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION.

Sir George Stoddart Whitmoke, on his appointment to the command of the forces in New Zealand, has, as might have been expected, found it necessary to plan an entirely new scheme of volunteer organisation, ind if it is carried out the State will derive benefit from the great expense which it has lately incurred, in order to defend and protect the colony against any attack made upon it by a foreign foe. How much a new scheme was needed has been shown of late by the miserable chaos that was found to exist in our military preparations to man and defend the batteries now in coarse of erection. This arose, not from the want of men capable and willing to take up arms, because the volunteer companies which have lately sprung into existence are proof to the contrary, neither has it been the want of willingness on tho part of the men to undergo the necessary drills to make themselves proficient in handling their arms, because we nave seen some companies drilling morning and evening, only too anxious to acquire the fundamental knowledge necessary to soldiers. No one can deny but that confusion has reigned supreme. One company has wanted a drill sergeant, another company officers, a third company arms, and a fourth the necessary authority to be taken on the effective strength according to the requirements of the Volunteer Act, and so on. Every volunteer officer has felt the want of cohesion amongst themselves, and all have hailed with delight the arrival of the new Commander-in-Cbief, to providesome remedy for the existing state of affaire. From Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunediu, the other centres of population ot tho colony, comes the same tale—all are most anxious that some eyetem should be adopted that would give us strength and confidence in our ability to encounter danger when it comes. To meet our requirements Sir George Whitmora has propounded a scheme which must commend itself to all military men, and to all who have had lengthened experience in the volunteer service. The following may be taken as a resurno of the proposed military system of the force to be called the volunteer militia :— As regards regular infantry, it is proposed that from the Ist class militia, and others who are willing to join it, volunteers for the first line should be called upon for service for not more than years, and in the proportion of not more than per cent, of the total number on the rolls. To supply the deficiency, should thai; proportion nut be obtained by volunteering, a ballot shall be taken by the officer commanding the district, perhaps in the presence of the permanent sbaff, the Resident Magistrate, and the senior officer of the Constabulary. The remuneration for the services of this force might be a capitation of £3, and one full dress suit of uniform from the Government, b'jfc this is a detail easily settled. What .Sir George seems most to insist upon, if some such plan is adop- c,d, is that the volunteer militia of the first lint should attend at least 24 drills in each ye&: o>. not leas than hours each. This number to be made up in caae of absence from any cause, except certified illness, by other drills to be lixed by the commanding officer.

It may fairly be .expected that each corps will .parade for drill far more frequently than 24 tunes in the year; but no drill of any corps or company should be allowed to count for capitation at which less than threefourths of the men on the rolls were present; nor should capitation be gianted to any company unless the average of the whole totalled 24 drills for five-sixths of the men on the company's rolls. In each year the Governor might call out the volunteer militia for camp exercise within the district to which it belongs, or assemble it in any other district, the actual cost of travelling being borne by Government. In case of internal emergency the Governor might remove the foroo from one district to another for any period not exceeding say 28 days from its own district. In case of invasion the volunteer militia should, however, have the right to remain to defend the homes of its muinbors ; and therefore, except where the corps or part of it volunteered to aid another district, the Governor should have no power to remove it. Volunteers of the Ist line, having completed Years' service, would be discharged from thaS line, but continue on the rolls as the 2nr> line, and retain their arms. The 2nd line of volunteer militia might receive £1 a-year and be liable for service should war be declared with a foreign power, or in the case of internal disturbance. The 2nd line of volunteer militia would continue on the rolls for years, parading for inspection twice a year, besides taking part in any general parade such as the Queen's. Birthday, or other national celebration. Should the 2nd line or any portion of it desire to take part in any camp* of manoeuvres or other military parades or drills it would always be competent for them to do so, presumably by first acquainting the commanding officer with their desire a week or so beforehand.

Any volunteer militiamen whose health or private affairs necessitate his retirement from the force should be entitled to obtain his discharge at any time by providing a substitute, who should be approved of by the commanding officer. Volunteers of the Hat or 2nd line called out for continuous service should receive 2s 6.1 per diem, and when rations are not provided la 6d in lieu thereof according to the present law. The officers of the volunteer militia would be appointed by the Governor, on the responsibility of tbe Government, and the ncncommissioned officers by the commanding officer. As soon as the quota of the volunteer militia in any district ia obtained, the officer commanding would tell it off into companies, having due regard to the residences of the members, and the convenience of access to the company's private parade ground or rendezvous, which he would fix, and if necessary alter as circumstances required. The commanding officer would at the same time fix the geneial parade ground, at which the various companies would have to assemble for battalion drill. Offences against the Volunteer Militia Regulations. should be punished by fines imposed by the commanding officer, and be recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction. When called upon for service, the volunteer militia should be subject to the Army Discipline Act, the latest received in the colony. It will be observed that uo mention is made of cavalry, artillery, engineers, and navals. These corps will for the present remain as they are, their duties requiring more special training than that of the regular infantry. ? Whatever system Parliament may adopt, the plan above detailed provides in an efficient manner for the protection of the centres of population of these islands. The time has gone by when we might look quietly on at great events passing in Europe. These colonies have become an important factor in European politics; our wealth and the means we have at our disposal entitle us to, be heard with respect. It therefore becomes our paramount duty to adopt some military system, which will press as lightly as possible on tbe people of this colony, giving at the same time the best advantages at the least possible tost. The Auckland Battalion of Militia Volunteers would be a corps in which the youth of this district might be proud to serve, The commissions granted by Government would at once give a status to those who receive, them. About 15 per cent, of the first class militia would be sufficient to form an efficient battalion, and as the companies would be told off according to the locality in which the members reside, a spirit of emulation would be created quite equivalent to that so much sought after in England, and which has caused our regiments to be named after the shires in which they are enlisted. Aβ an example, let ns take, say, the Hobson Company and 4he Parnell Company; what could give more zest to the men to attend end learn their drills, than the knowledge that they wonld be pitted, one against the other, the day the battalion assembled for parade ? What officer could continue to bold a commission who neglected bis men on their private parade ground ? Any carelessness would be seen at once. Why, the men themselves possessing as they do such military instinct, would not submit to it foe one moment —in fact the regimental system would give cohesion where but chaos exists. Few will deny the abeolute necessity of the population of this country being to some extent trained to arms. Sir George Grey pronounced the necessity, publicly. What better means could be devised, than that which has given to England 49,000 men of first-class reservists? The Canadians have their militia

volunteer regiments made up by the ballot, when tbe number of volunteer* demanded by the State do not come np to requirements, and the same plan with modifications.is proposed by Sir George Whitmore for the volunteers in New Zealand. It will be noted, that the first line after serving ft certain number of yeare, passes into the necond line, and will be still available when danger threaten* the country, and neither line can be removed from the district in case of invasion. The projects of establishing camps of manoeuvres will at once commend itself to all desirous of learning their profession. It will be a healthy recreation combined with work, teaching all who come within its scope habits of discipline, and innring them to those duties which they would have to put into practical test when once ordered to take the field.

These, we believe, are the proposals of Sir George Whitmore, whoso long service in the English army and in this colony certainly entitles him to be listened to with respect. No officer is better acquainted with our requirements, and no officer could possibly bring more energy and determination to bear on the subject. The volunteers of this colony are certainly to be congratulated on having a commanding officer both capable and willing to make them an organised force.