VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13927, 8 December 1908, Page 6

VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

A SCOTTISH CORPS.

FORMATION, OF HIGHLAND ■ ._;.\, /RIFLES.

Between 40 and 50 persons were present at a meeting in St. Andrew's; Hall last evening, convened for the purpose of considering the question, of forming a Highland volunteer rifle company in Auckland. The meeting was presided over by Mr. P. M. Mackay, who in his opening remarks referred, to the glorious traditions of : the Scottish race. It was the duty of every young man and able-bodied man, he said, •to step forward and make himself efficient to guard his country against aggression. Kilted volunteer companies had been succeesful ■ in other centres of the Dominion, and there was no reason why, Once initiated, the Auckland corps should not be the strongest and most popular volunteer company in the district. A good deal had been said and written lately about our defence forces, with regard to which we were at present in a state of transition. Many maintained that our . present volunteer force' was totally inadequate for the defence of the country, and advocated some form of compulsory service. We had some thousands of primary school cadets, but unfortunately their training ceased with their school days, as there was as yet no linking-up means provided whereby they could' develop and make use of their early training and continue to be of service to the State. Something should be done in this direction, by taking steps to formulate some scheme whereby they could be retained and do a certain amount of annual training. Until some other plan for tie defence of the country was devised, they should assist that at present in vogue by forming a ! volunteer corps composed of Scotland's sons or their descendants. - Mr. Mackay concluded by proposing that such a corps be formed. ' " ' , The motion was seconded by Mr. Melville, and carried. » A further motion, "That the company be composed of Scotchmen and descendants of Scotchmen," was carried. '•■''.' It -was decided to call the proposed company the Auckland Highland Rifles. Mr. Melville was elected secretary pro tern. /". ■:.' * ' ' v

The chairman then read the defence regulations regarding the formation of volunteer companies and the qualification of members. . *

Various matters', such as finance and the proposed company's tartan, were left in the hands of a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. J. Oliphant, J. M. Melville, E. A. Craig,' D. W. Dunlop,; J, W. Elmslie, to consider and report upon at a subsequent meeting. Captain Farquhar and Mr. P. Oliphant also addressed the meeting, the latter; particularly eulogising ; the value of training received in the volunteer service. He did not consider there would be any difficulty in arranging a " guarantee ' to; cover ' the initial cost or providing the corps with an appropriate uniform. At the conclusion of the business a number of those present signed the roll, the present strength being 55.