THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8557, 27 July 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE VOLUNTEER FORCE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—The remarks of Captain Russell, the member for Hawke's Bay, on the consideration of the estimates for volunteers are worthy of the attention of all. They were as follows (vide report in the Otago Daily Times and Witness): — "Captain Russell called attention to tho fact that the 8000 volunteers in the coloDy were not properly trained or in a fit state for repelling sn external foe. He regretted he could not move to increas* the vote by £2000 in order to provide for those corps being properly trained, and also for providing capable commanding officers being stationed in each district. He hoped th. Minister for Defence would see his way to do something in this direction, as in the present unsettled state of the continent of Europe no one could tell when a devastating war, in which England might unhappily be engaged, would break ont, in which case it was absolutely necessary that our volunteers' force should be in a thorough state of organization, and under proper commanding officers." ■ The numerous false alarms of w« during the last fonr years have of late deadened the apprehensions once felt, fiut even though the war should not break out next spring as we are now informed it will, we may rest assured that the danger is not past, but only postponed. It is therefore of great importance for .us to inquire, "Are we prepared?" We are informed that there are 8000 volunteers in the colony besides' the permanent militia, these latter being required to man the forts and serve the great guns. As, however, their numbers are insufficient for the work, they are simply to be regarded as a nucleus, which, in time of neoessity, will be filled out by the n&vals, a body of volunteers especially to be trained for large gun and torpedo practice. The few ports and large towns will, in addition to their forts and torpedoes, have a body of volunteers, garrison corps, to protect them, bat which will, of course, not be available for transfer to any other part of the coast which may be threatened. Now, if we deduct from the 8000 volunteers of the colony the navals and garrison corps, how many will remain to repel an attack made upon any part of New Zealand other than the large towns ? How many of these would fall in for service— aay at 24 hours'notice or be massed at 48 hours' notice, or even within a week ? This appears to me the right way to regard the preparedness of the colony for an emergency. Again, we must ask ourselves are the volunteers as at present existing, even if sufficient in point of numbers, ts Captain Russell puts it, " properly trained and in a fit s.tate for repelling an external foe?" He distinctly says that they are not, and this statement he made in the House. How was it received ? Did the Government deny his allegation and impress upon the members that the force was all it should be ? The Defence Minister replied " that the Government had not lost sight of the fact pointed out by the member for Hawke's Bay, and in order to test tho feeling of the House on the matter intended putting an item on the Supplementary Estimates to provide for it." Tho Government, in fact, admit the truth of Captain Russell's statements, and it is to be hoped that the admission, which is to their credit, is the' first step towards having such a state of affairs remedied. The first point that requires attention appears to be the increasing of the volunteer force. In an old and populous country like England, the taxpayer expects to be protected from external foes without, except under exceptional circumstances, having to give his personal services. The aggregate of taxes suffices to maintain a navy and standing army; but in a new and sparsely populated colony like Naw Zealand, the taxpayer knows that the Government cannot proteot him, his family, and property unless in addition to paying taxes he is prepared to protect his Lares and Penates with his own right arm. Hence the New Zealand volunteer should cost his Government less than his English brother. Now, we know that the capitation paid in England is 30s, whilst we are told that this year in New Zealand the capitation is to be increased to £3; in other words a sum of £4000 (10s per head for 8000 men) will this year be unnecessarily spent in capitation, a sum which a 1 30s per head would provide for 2666 more volunteers ! The following extract from the volunteer estimates in England for 1886-87 is instructive. Capitation at 30i for 218,207 volunteers ... £327 310 I Pay of adjutants ... ... ... 70.000 Pay of sergeant instructors ... ... 83,600 Thus, we see in England the amount paid for "instruction" is equal to near half the capitation grant. If New Zealand paid for that item in (he same proportion sbe wonld pay nearly £8000 for adjutants and sergeant instructors. To sum up: (1) The situation of Europe shows that a mighty war, in which England is nearly certain to be involved, must, break out sooner or later; (2) that in such an event our shores are sure to be visited by somn of the enemies' cruisers; (3) that we are solely dependent upon the volunteer force for the safety of nearly all our coast; (4) that this force is stated to be " not properly trained nor in a fit state to repel an external foe"; (5) that the Government admit this statement to ba true. Surely these facts are worthy of the gravest consideration of every colonist. If defence operations are necessary—and that they are considered necessary the vote of from £50,000 to £60,000 proves— then we must be satisfied thar, the colony is by no means safe from attack. The thanks of all are due to Captain Russell for bringing to notice this state of affairs whilst there is yet time to repair them ; and I write with a view to stirring up public opinion to strengthen thi' hands of Government in carrying out any measure of reform they may consider necessary.— I am, &c, Cms. Moreis, Colonel. Queenstown, July 18.