THE PREMIER AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9775, 23 March 1895, Page 5

THE PREMIER AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

(*r TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. A deputation from the Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association waited on the Defence Minister to-day, urging a continuation of the free grant of ammunition and railway passes. Major Sommerville related the good work done by the Association, and declared that if the Association were abolished, Now Zealand would be the only British colony with no National Rifle Association. In reply, Mr. Seddon said the circular issued to the Association refusing further assistance was the result of mature consideration. Other colonies were reducing their defence expenditure, and, with a falling revenue here, the pruning knife had to go in, and, as shooting was looked at more in the light of a luxury, economy could be practised in that direction. He could hold out no hope of assistance being rendered. When things improved it would be time to ask for further assistance.

[BY telegraph.—OWN correspondents.] Wellington, Friday. The topic which employs the ingenuity of political people to-day is the speech of the Premier addressed to the deputation of volunteers which waited on him yesterday with respect to railway pusses and ammunition, and other small costs to be withdrawn in future from the rifle firing contests. The fire brigades are also to be cut down. The reason assigned for this is economy. Apart altogether from the feeling manifested by the volunteers (and it is very bitter) the public concern themselves with considering the financial aspect of the matters referred to. They treat the Prsmier's address to the deputation as a declaration (for the first time avowed) that the Treasury is for the present exhausted. Coming after the declaration made by Mr. Ward and other Ministers that there whs plenty of cash in the Government chest, the determination of the Premier is spoken of as startling to say the least of it. Interpreted in connection with other shortages in the Government disbursements, it is represented as a means of swelling the assumed surplus in every conceivable way. The public eyes are turned to the necessities of the Government in other directions, and the expenditure for commissions, for building repairs, for costly alterations of all sorts. Government sup porters, however, are still jubilant. The Premier, in their opinion, is not so foolish as to be " euchred" in that way. They feel quite assured things will come out all right when the Treasurer comes home.