THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3327, 21 August 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1879.

Although every government and every nation professes a desire for peace, it does not seem probable that peace will be the lot of the present generation. Sooner or later Great Britain will have to resist attack'or be drawn in to take the part of oppressed freedom. It is, therefore, abso-j lutely necessary that the Army and Navy of Old England should still be maintained ia numerical strength, and efficient and vigorous condition. In taking a glance at the forces of the Empire, the first that must attract the attention of the thoughtful diplomatist is the junior branch of the Army.Taiid Navy—the Volunteer body.: Of the importance of the spirit which has Wised and maintained that force in its acknowledged efficiency throughout all parts of the Queeu's dominions there can be bat one opinion.- It is a revival in these practical times of the spirit which gave Old England her Yeomen nnd Archers of old. But those in authority in the colony of New Zealand have done but little to encourage the Volunteer movement. In. no part of .the Old Country, and in no one of her colonies is such scant regard shown to the well being of the Volunteer Service •• ia this colony. It cannot be said that

all danger from our internal enemy has passed away—the Muories are still in sufficient, numbers to be regarded w^h suspicion—nor can^ jfc he urg^d <r |liat%o temptation exists a^OurweaHJiyiiek-pdrta for the hostile Visits , off cruisers. It is a fact well ku'owQ tours all that, not only does the> volunteer^ force exist in full activity and strength, very fairly trained and expert, but that any number of recruits can be obtained, only that no personal expense shall be incurred. Our present enrolled volunteers are by no means parsimonious; they make no words about paying their fares to and ; from ball practice; wages of markers, &c. It is the expenses of uniforms, head-quarters and ; gas^ which now swalloW up the capitation,grant an^jnore, and which stands in the way'6f recruiting the force to a.higher numerical strength. Then comes the difficulty of finding officers, which,, is no doubt .a, real one. Surely those who have the most to lose should be ready to accept the responsi-, bility •of ,a yolunteer = commission. And now foliowt the question,■ is the organisation, as it at present exists in this colony, satisfactory? Some few. professional', soldiers would answer yes; but ,<we say that those who so answer must speak from interested motives'; they have ends of their, own\to serve, and a reliable and organised army, would be. a ,death >blow to those ends... As an illustration of our we will mention the late ploughing fracas. Offers, of service were tendered by officers and men ;of s the Vplunteer Force in different, parts of ttie S'Coi6ny, but ihe' Government declined to accept their aid, but seized the opportunity to largely- augment the ranks ,of that nondescript force—half policeman half sdldiers, the Armed Constabulary ; the volunteers who have borne the h£at?and burden of the day, who have'atttjn'deddrills,£aVades,^ arid 1 target prapticej without fee or payment for a number of years past—are simply for any use to which they maybe put in an emergency, completely; ignored, jln .their place a'lot of raw recruits are lured ' tb'swelt the ranks of the Constabulary, and .to provide inspectorships for needy hangers-ofi 'of the' governing families. Let not men sneer at volunteers lor volunteer officers. All readers of history must recollect that when Charles the first marched his army kMßrentford ion his road to London, that Hampden, Holies and other (volunteer) officers of the. Parliamentary Army besought the Lord-General Essex to detach a force; to | Kingston Bridge !and come upon the King's rear-guard ; Colonel Dulbar an d other professional officers over-ruled their criiinsel,; as contrary to the art of war, which forbade such detachments; yet, if the advice of the Volunteer E6tind-heads':*had been acted upon the" war would have been finished that day. Lord Salisbury has pointed out what he terms the Imperial genius of the English people; ; how on emergencies in India, Englishmen, take them from what occupation you would, could always play their . part. Are the jNew Zealand colonist* behind their Indian brethren in pluck or enterprise ?' We think hot; The Force . have ,h,ad an opportunity given them at Taranaki to display their efficiency and' training. Speak ing for our local volunteers, we know that they were ; ! much disappointed at the refusal of the Govei'nment'to employ them at the front. Of the necessary re-organisation of the Colonial Defences, and the desirable increase of strength of the Volunteer JBWce '■#c will say .Bomißthing on a future"6ccasion. : .-■■ ■;?I;;ii':;:'.': ■