OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERY.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 948, 27 February 1897, Page 2

OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERY.

A Cause that Needs Assistance.

Now that the scrip fever has abated, and that everyone is no longer madly chasing the phantom of a fortune, the public mind may be disposed to take some note of affairs that concern its security. The recent prize firing conducted by the New Zealand Rifle Association at the North Shore has served one purpose that, perhaps, was not contemplated by its promoters. It has drawn public attention very pointedly to the marked decadence of the volunteer Bpirit and movement in Auckland.

Time was when we were able to make a brave show with our citizen soldiery. In the various branches of infantry, cavalry, artillery, and naval corps we were remarkably well equipped, and numerous cadet companies were training up the rising generation to a knowledge of arms and the rudiments of military drill. On the review ground our men and lads made a most creditable appearance — neatly uniformed, animated by esprit de corps, and manifesting a smart, soldier-like appearance. On the rifle range they were able to hold their own with the best marksmen the colony could produce, and a public ovation always marked the return of the rifleman who bore back to Auckland the Champion Belt.

But the times have signally changed. Although this year the prize-firing meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association has been held in Auckland, and the competitions were open to all volunteers who chose to enter, the number of local marksmen who availed themselves of the opportunity was . abnormally small. Exceedingly few young shots presented them-

selves. In fact, nearly the whole of those who entered from this city were men who have been shooting for. many, years. And even they manifested a striking decline from that form which they, were wont to display. The reason assigned is want of practice, resulting from absence of encouragement. In the Companies' Teams Match only one Auckland corps — the A Battery— was represented at all, and even it failed to Bustain its ancient reputation.

The truth is, volunteering in Auckland is being crushed out of existence. And the Government are primarily responsible for this state of things. Ministers themselves have looked upon the movement with an indifferent eye, and the men whom they have appointed to conduct their defence administration have never been able to win the confidence "of the volunteers. Exceptional difficulties have been placed in the way of companies earning capitation, and men of means and influence in the community have either been forced to resign from the command of companies in sheer disgust at the petty vexations and annoyances placed in their way by those in authority, or else have been deterred from identifying themselves with the movement by a knowledge of the disappointments and difficulties to which they would be subjected. In fact, the Government have been starving the force, and spending their means in maintaining a miserable farce of a standing army. There are far too, many salaried officers and hangers-on.

Onr defence force iB, in short;, top-heavy, and the money that is being frittered away on the maintenance of a permanent force, and a crowd of officers gorgeous in goldlace and dazzling uniforms, would be better expended upon the men, who, after all, mußt be our mainstay in time of peril or emergency — the volunteers themselves. But the Government are not the only sinners in bringing about the rapid decadence of the volunteer spirit in the community. The public is also to blame, and especially the employers of labour. In the pipingjtimea of peace the volunteer, like the soldier, is scouted and despised, and all sorts of hindrances are placed in his way. But when war threatens, he becomes the hero of the hour. Now, war may be nearer at hand than many of our wiseacres appear to imagine And if a hostile cruiser should ever appear off our ports and levy blackmail, the very first people to suffer— the chief sufferers, in fact — will be those employers of labour who are now doing their best to kill any martial spirit that may linger in the breasts of our young men, and to stamp the volunteer service out of existence. If they are wise, they will alter their methods and offer every encouragement for the building up of a thoroughly effective volunteer force in our midst.

So far as the Government are concerned, there is still hope of better days ahead for the volunteers. That hope springs from the fact that the Hon. Thos. Thompson is now Minister for Defence. An old volunteer himself, who knows by experience the hardships the volunteer has to put up with, and who can therefore sympathise with his trials and vexations, and appreciate the value of a little practical encouragement, he may be trusted to do all that lies in his power to foster and develop the movement. He has already afforded proof of his desire to infuse fresh spirit into the force by using his influence to prevent the Government withdrawing what little assistance they Btill give to the New Zealand Rifle Association. Farther step 3in the direction of reorganisation and improvement have been awaiting the arrival of Col Pole-Penton. One of the first questions now to be decided vitally concerns the volunteers of this district. It is the choice of a commanding officer to succeed CoL Goring. It is not too much to say that the choice that may be made will either make or mar the volunteer movement in this district. The man who is wanted is an officer of ripe experience, whose heart is in his work, and who will strive, not only to raise the status of the force, but to populariee it by winning the confidence and respect of both officers and men, and working in harmony with them. That is the man for the situation. But shall we get him ?