COLONIAL DEFENCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7223, 11 April 1885, Page 4

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm,—War behvoon England and Russia appears to bo only a inattor of a few days. I would ask you honestly, whcie are our defences ? Many yeara ago, when Mr Micandrew stood for the office of Superintendent, I askad him the question, What will you do for defending the Province of Otago in cass war is declared between England and Russia ? and Mr Macandrew, who is considered one of the hlost experienced Btatesmeu In this Colony, (imply laughed the matter down, and then stated that he would drown every Russian at the Ocean Beach. Now let this great stat Bmon do eo in case of necessity. All I can cay is, if wo do not protect ourselves, and go man to man for protecting our homes and wives and children, it will bo a vory sorry look-out for us. Sir, I am a pretty old man, nearly 60 years of ace. and fcavo a large family to support but I am ready now to servo in the militia for dofending this my" Edopted country, provided other business men do the same. ■

As far as the Volunteers are concerned, I must con■fess honestly that the whole system ia rotten, as the great want to mako tho Volunteers efficient appears to me to bo proper discipline. .. .- I givo you an instance. On Monday last, 6th inet., I caw a Volunteer addressing in Princau street an officer In uniform as "Well, Jack, how are you?" Now take this iu a proper military spirit. Any coldier or Volunteer, if ho addresses cu officer, should make front and salute tho officer property; but not Bland there and shako hauda with-such officer. Perhaps we tako in the light cf our Colonial experience. Tho toldier who thus addressed tho officor may be a a persoial friond of his; but surely for the Bake of military etiquette, which is part of the necessary discipline, he should not have addressed aa officer without making front and tho proper salute. Such salute, mind, is perhaps not due to the person himeelf, but to all military laws, to tho uniform he wcara as an acknowledged officer. ' ' • AVhat 1 havo seen of the late Volunteer performances, I must honestly confeßß that come of them are perfectly up to their work and a credit to out community, while ctaera are not worth anything. All this could bo remedied it stiict and perfect discipline were established, and[such must be done by Colonel Stavoly and tho othor hoad officors in command* if our Volunteers can bo of any. uso to us.— I am, &c, | , Father of Family. I April 10.