Southland Volunteer District

Southland Times, Issue 18063, 5 February 1903, Page 2

Southland Volunteer District

A reply has been received hy 3'r J. A. Hanan in answer to his letter to the Premier strongly protesting agmist the uholition of the Southland sub-district and the removal of the control from this centro. Mr Hanan's letter" was published in the Southland Times and criticised by us at the time. Mr Seddon's reply bears out our view of the matter, via., that having obtained tlio services of a Commandant of high reputation and experience, we should be prepared to follow his advice, and that if economy has to be eflected it must begin somewhere and someone must suffer. Tho Premier's answer to our member is as follows : —

Premier's Ollice, Wellington, 30th January, 1903

J. A. Hanan, Esq., M.H.R., Invercargill,—! am in receipt of your letter of 10th instant, in reference to the intended abolition of the sub-district of the Southland Militia and Volunteers, and have to state in reply that the abolition was carried out on the recommendation of the Commandant. That gentleman is now on his way south to inspect the southern districts, and if, after he inspects them, he arrives at the conclusion and recommends that the matter should be re-instated, I should be quite prepared to give his recommiendiatiou favourable consideration. It must, however, be borne in mind that it is useless having an expert in the person of a Commandant, if we ignore his recommendations, particularly when they are in the direction of economy, and when jt is very necessary that a reduction should be made' in the defence expenditure — I am, &c, y R. J. SEDDON.