VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1188, 7 December 1894, Page 33

VOLUNTEERS.

OUR VOLUNTEER FORCE.

COLONEL FOX SPEAKS OUT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, November 30. Colonel Fox, at the inspection of the City Biflo Corps, stated that the muster of corps in Auckland were below those in the South, while the drill was infinitely below them. The Navals had improved, and had done fairly well, but even these corps were behind the Navals corps of the South. With regard to the clothing of the men, it was also worse, although in the South there were some corps whose clothing was bad but who had funds in hand. The mounted corps and rifle corps were all inferior in drill to those in other parts of the Colony. The men entered the force knowing the regulations, and that they were expected to obey them, and then they turned round to dictate to the Government. Such a state of things was simply absurd and made them the laughing-stock of the community. They must either be one thing or the other —be Volunteers and do duty for their country, or else leave it alone. He had heard that there had been a “ round robin ” also m circulation, which had never been sent in, asking for the removal of the commanding officer. Such conduct simply made the force the laughing stock of all who knew anything about Volunteering. The commanding officer had done his best to try and improve them, and had been partly successful. In Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington there were corps which would do credit to any Volunteer, force in the world. The men ivere living under the same conditions as in Auckland, and-there was no reason why the same state , of things should not prevail there. He knew the difficulties under which they . had laboured. They had had bad instruction and a bad drill hall, but the Government would do what it could for them. He advised them to thoroughly learn their drill.' Some of them did well but a great number did not honestly earn their capitation. , The public and the press held the force up to ridicule. lie noticed in the press that one of the Corps .was referred to as being the oldest and best corps in the Colony. Speaking as one knowing every corps in the Colony, and as an expert, he would say that If that corps were the best, God help the worst.” It was also stated in the papers that if the Volunteers were paid per parade, matters would be much better. What that meant was that,, instead of being Volunteers, they would be a partially paid Militia. Persons who spoke thus did not know wliat constituted a Volunteer force. There is considerable sensation in Auckland owing to the , severe strictures of Colonel Fox on the Volunteers there. At a meeting of officers Colonel Fox reiterated his remarks as to the - inefficiency of the Auckland Volunteers. The defences of New Zealand he described as a farce, and said that in his next report to the Government he would speak pretty plainly about them. One officer denied the existence of the round robin referred to, and asked Colonel Fox for his authority. Colonel Fox made no reply. He said the country corps were even, worse, and he instanced one corps which he declared presented a disgraceful appearance. Considerable soreness has been caused as: the result of the meeting. At tire Caledonian Society’s banquet Captain Bobertson, of the City Bifles, a Volunteer for 33 years, said he had never found an inspecting officer so objectionable in his criticisms as Colonel Fox. The fewer visits lie paid the better. , If Colonel' Fox paid these visits frequently he would very soon wipe out of existence every corps in the district. '