THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 14

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

By Sentby

The North Dunedin Rifles' entry fox the Ladies' Challenge Shield proved, after all, not to be a joke. The entry was accepted after closing time upon the assurance being given that it was but two minutes after 5 when the entry was preferred at the secretary's business place, he, however, having left promptly. The action of the North Dunedin Rifles in putting forward v team for this competition did not command the approbation of the bulk of the competitors, a fact which was naturally less evident than would have been the case 'had the North Dunedin team competed and won the trophy. Any likely controversy was, however, settled by the decisive action of the Officer Commanding the District, who, when he learned that the team, had heen entered, issued orders prohibiting the members from firing on the range. On being asked for the reasons which prompted "lis decision, Lieut.-colonel Smyth informed me that, although theoretically the North Dunedin Rifles were a part of the Defence Forces cf the Dominion, practically they did not exist, for their rifles and other equipment were all in the local defence office, and they had not done any training for over a year. The only reason why the sompany was net gazetted out was that the department's account for equipment unaccounted for had not yet been paid, although repeated application for payment •had been made. He had decided, therefore, that they had rxo right to compete as a company for the trophy, and had issued orders that they were not to be permitted to fire on the Government range. The North Dunedin Rifles had at first contemplated entering a protest to the Shield Committee, but as they do not wish to disturb the position of the winners—the Green Island Rifles, —it is unlikely they will carry out this intention. They claim that as they are still on the strength of the district, and liable for service if called out, tbey were eligible to shoot. With regard to the Government's account, I lea.rn that this has been passed for payment, but that the writing off by the Government of some - obsolete equipment is awaited before pament is made. It is claimed on behalf of the North Dunedin Rifle® that the fact of their being prohibited from taking part in the competition for the Ladies' Challenge Shield will prejudice a movement that has been on ioot during the past six weeks to bring into being a new company in North Dunedin. It will be remembered that one of the historic resolutions passed at the meeting ■which produced the charge cf insubordination was to the effect that the members pledged themselves not to serve in the oattalion whilst Lieut.-colonel Stoneham held command. The' institution of this movement just about the time of the announcement of the resignation of Lieut.oolonel Stoneham may not be regarded as a mej-e coincidence. It is stated, however, that it is not a revival of the old company, but the formation of a new company, with fresh officers, that is proposed, and that the names of some 30 persons willing to join had been, secured. In any case, I find upon* inquiry that so far the resignation of Lieut.-colonel Stcneham. has not yet been handed in. Evidently Volunteering in Oamaru is in an unhappy state. The Oamaru Mail recently wrote:—" There is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction pervading local defence lircles which does not bode well for the *wture sucoess of militarism in Oamaru, even under the new regime. Matters have now reached such a climax that several officers have decided to resign their commissions so soon as the new scheme shall have advanced far enough to allow of their ■ Joing so, and are only prevented from foing so now by reason of the financial obligations of their companies. The rank and file is permeated with the spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction, and the failure to enforce discipline by these responsible for its maintenance has disheartened good and efficient Volunteers in all the infantry ores."

The following letter on the Sam© topic has just reached me: Dear " Sentry,"—Can .you do something in Military Notes to wake up the poweis that be in Oamaru ? A process of " rot" seems to have set in that is taking the " life's blood " out of Volunteering. The Mail of a few days ago correctly describes the situation. As giving an indication of how matters stand, a guard of honour was detailed in connection with the Governor's late visit, and only one officer and a few men turned up.and the guard had to be abandoned. The officer detailed to command was shooting that afternoon at the North Otago Rifle Association's meeting, which was to him of more importance. Captain Morris has resicned the battalion adjutancy, and retires with a broken heart. Courts of Inquiry are appointed to inquire .into acts of insubordination in connection with which evidence is most convincing. Mid yet the guilty ones are exonerated. Discipline, therefore, is departing at a jallop. If tho Government sets up a comhission as the outcome of the Knyvett >ffair to inquire into Volunteer matters, it «?il! find abundant justification for its action in Oamaru.—l an;, etc.. Voloxtekr.

SHOULD THK GARRISON HALL BE SOLD ? DunodiV* drillshftd accommodation has Dt mariT year* been e source of controversy i ffl( J £hi occasion of many unrppontcd

anathemas. Reserved entirely for military purposes, it would, if still a good dead short of perfection, yet afford fairly satisfactory opportunities for indoor instruction for the troops of the district. But the cost of upkeep has to be secured by the trustees, and in consequence the main portion of the building is so frequently rented for the purpose of entertainments that it may be said to be of little use to the various companies. In all the other large centres the Government has provided suitable drill halls. Dunedin people have provided their own hall—a property worth probably £20,000, —the Government contributing nothing save a reasonable rental whilst using portion of the building. In recognition of the patriotism which prompted the support given to the Volunteers in this connection the Government leaves the trustees with the privilege and responsibility of providing for the maintenance and upkeep of the hall for the training of the Dominions defenders.. According to the Defence Act the only conditions under which the trustees may dispose of this property, which was provided by residents for the benefit of the Vo unteers of the district, are that they shall •with the proceeds erect a new drill hall to be controlled and maintained by the Government.' Some time ago the trustees offered to sell up the Garrison Hall and hand over as a gift to the Government £4OOO from the proceeds on condition that the Government should erect an up-to-dato drillshed on some suitable area, but the latter declined to entertain any proposition except a complete surrender of the proceeds for the erection of a building which the Government undertook to maintain. In view of the probable increase oflerrito rials aggravating the present difficulty with regard to accommodation, the opinions of local officers who were- interviewed bv me that the trustees could not secure" any definite lead from the Volunteers whose property they manage. The case for the trustees was put by Lieutenant-colonel Smith. J. he original trustees raised the sum of £BOOO upon their joint and several guarantee to the bank, and erected the hall. Tne Government hai never expended a penny upon the hall. The trustees had to make sure of sufficient revenue to pay for the upkc-33—including caretaker's salary, lighting insurance, etc., —and had a debt of £SOOO still to be wiped off. Repairs had to be effected whenever necessary- The anomaly of Volunteers paying rent for the use of their own hall had now been done away with. All this meant money, and it was thus necessa,ry for the trustees to rent the main hall whenever reasonably possible. Out of regard for the needs of the Volunteers they had frequently to refuse to let the hall to profitable tenants who required the hall foi lengthy periods. Only .recently they had declined to let the hall for the purposes of skating. If the- trustees consulted their own interests, said Lieu-tenant-coloned Smith, they would promptly hand over control to the Government and escape the gratuitous worry that had been theirs for a considerable time. As a matter of fact, the act laid it down quite plainly that the trustees might sell the hall only with the consent of the Government, and that the prcceeds of such sale must be devoted to the erection of a new drill hall. So that practically tho hall belonged to the Government. This position had been created by the passing of this act, the trustees acting at that time possibly not being alive to the significance of the act, or else they might have protested against the Garrison Hall being included. Ai present negotiations were completely suspended, the trustees recognising the hoplessness of moving the Government from the altitude it had adopted.