CALLING OUT THE MILITIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 849, 10 September 1864, Page 5

CALLING OUT THE MILITIA.

(To the Editor ofthe Daily Times.) " Judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitor." Sir—l cannot refrain from expressing my surprise at the apathy with which the inhabitants of this Province regard the contemplated enforcement of the Militia Act. Is ifc Hapsburg policy that ha 3 set this scheme afoot, or is the cause to bs found in the absurd fright of the old ladies in Auckland? If the former, I trust the public will not; one and all allow themselves to be befooled into subjection to semi-military law. By the bye, what a very pretty inducement to intending emigrants to be told thafc they are required to serve in the ranks when they arrive in their new home, and that once there, they cannot leave without special permit! Do our ralars seriously and soberly believe that such a force is necessary for fche defence of this Province. 1 know not. No imagination, but the wildest and most chimerical, would expect troops to inarch up-country to capture a few tents ! bah ! the idea is too preposterous to be entertained. All the invader would require is an iron-clad gun boat; with that he wou-d dictate hi* own terms in spite of the militia of fifty Provinces. I hope some abler pen than mine will take up the matter, for as soon as tbe attention of the public is directed to the absurdity of the scheme its doom will be swift and certain. I am, &c, Owl.