VOLUNTEERING IN OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 10

VOLUNTEERING IN OTAGO.

, TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—l read with regret in Thursday's Times about, tho way tho Lawrenco Mounted Itillcs were trealed ro capitation allowance. I think, Sir, that this is unjust to tho men, inasmuch as they are trying to put. in as many drills as they can so as to count; for the Government allowance— 7iz., £3 10s per man. Tho weather, as you know, Sir, has not been particularly good for parades of any kind, and the poor farmers have had a hard time. So that ,it could liiit lw.oxpectod that, tho men, who aro working for them, could get away to attend drill, as tlioy had to take ever? opportunity to get their crops in, but still tho discretionary power was jused by the officer in charge of the district in fining the, men £3 10s, tho amount of capitation. I know 110 had to do bis duty, but I think if the powers that bo woro to look moro olosely into mailers tliov would find it would pay them hotter to bo moro lenient, with the men. I don't wonder wo do not got moro young men to jom our corps. Colonel Kitchcncr states that conscription would be a good thing for Now Zealand, but I would like to point out that such a thing would not bo tolerated' in tho country, unless worked on a propor basis. I wqiild like to point out to you, Sir, an act of tyranny that occured somo tiino ago in one of Ae" crack corps in Dnnedin. It happened to bo the King's Birthday this corn was in camp. A private was on duty during tho night previous, and he asked his captain, or the officer in charge, for leavo the following day, which was granted limi. Tho young man went home <0 his parents' hpuse, went to bed, and had a sleep, and because ho did not turn up for parade- ou that day ho was courtmaitialled and fined £1. The boy's father, being an old hand at this game, rofusod to pay the fine, the consequence was that the lad had to do 24 hours in prison. Now, Sir, if that is the way to get yonng men to stick to Volunteering I havo a different opinion.—l am, to., , Old Volontbkk, Late Third Edinbarg .R.Y.C,