WARNING TO VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7904, 24 March 1887, Page 5

WARNING TO VOLUNTEERS.

The following circular has been issued by the Defence Department:—"The MajorGeneral commanding has had his attention drawn to the circumstance that an officer on tho activfl list recently, and not loug ago several officers at another station, took part in uniform more or less complete at demonstrations of a denominational or sectarian character. This cannot be allowed, and he desires to inform the Volunteer Force, that, if repeated after this order by any officer or Volunteer, his name will be at once submitted to His Excellency for dismissal. It appears that some officers and volunteers regard Section 175 of the Volunteer Regulations simply to prohibit them from taking part in political demonstrations in uniform under arms ; but the importance of preventing volunteers from taking any sectarian or political action whatever as a military force, and the uecesity of preventing it as far as possible introducing elements of discord into the ranks, is so obvious that the Major-General is resolved to take most severe steps in the event of this order being disobeyed. It must be clearly understood, therefore, that no trifling alterations of uniform or the fact of not carrying arms will be regarded as an excuse. Volunteers in their private capacity are not required to abstain from an action they may deem proper in such matters, but they must remember what is due to the uniform of the oolony, and not excite a hostile feeling in the minds of the community by wearing it upon such occasions."