OUR VOLUNTEERS AND THE AUSTRALIAN RIFLE MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8987, 19 September 1892, Page 3

OUR VOLUNTEERS AND THE AUSTRALIAN RIFLE MEETING.

r TO THE EDITOR. " Sir, May I crave a space in your journal to plead the cause of our volunteers, that through the aid of public assistance they may become represented at the forthcoming Australian meetings. Volunteers, from the fact of their proceedings being mostly carried out beyond the ken of the general public, labour under a disadvantage by not attracting public attention and support. The weekly drill and firing practices pass off unheeded, and the volunteer may devote the leisure of years to the attainment of proficiency as a marksman without a meed of praise to encourage his efforts ; whereas the footballer week upon week is cheered to the eeho, and not only enjoys all the fun, but also secures a lion's share ot the profits. Without in the least degree desiring to disparage athletics, as I maintain that it is far better to become an athlete than to develope into an effeminate tavern-lounger, I hold that volunteering, being a beneficial duty voluntarily performed, should commend itself to the liberality of the people, and although "our boys" may be somewhat deficient in drill their proficiency in firing practice is commendable. History affords strong evidences of the importance of this branch of the service, especially when we recall to memory the sad fate of a division of the British army that unfortunately became left at the mercy of the superior marksmanship of the Boers in South Aftrica. Let us hope that this fair land may never again echo with the sound of shots fired in the earnest of warfare; but still to be " forearmed is to be forewarned;" and I submit that the generous public that afforded the sending ot their fancy hurdlers and runners upon a pleasant picnic of months' duration to the mother country would not demur in providing the means to enable their useful but less attractive defenders to spend a few weeks in the sister colony in upholding the dignity of the "brighter Britain" in a display of that species of skill that for centuries has proved to be the safeguard to British supremacy. As the date for the Australian meeting is rapidly approaching, I would advise those interested in the matter to appoint a treasurer and locality, that the loyal citizens of Auckland may have an opportunity of evincing their patriotism by assisting this national undertaking.—l am, etc.. Defence not Defiance.