OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 38, 8 June 1907, Page 11

OUR DEFENDERS

By Lee-Enfield

HOFEVER acceptable many of the regulations coming in such quantities from an active Defence CViincil may be to the volunteers, there is likely to be strong opposition to the proposal to merge the company capitation allowance into the common hind of the battalion or regiment. Several officers have privately expressed their views on tlie subject in unmeasured terms, and it will not be surprising if some concerted action is taken. Nevertheless, it must be more and more apparent that the days of the old repriiiip are numbered, and that sooner or later the battalion scheme must l>e accepted in its entirety. Ereryone will probably remember G. 15. Austin, the Avell-advertised Victorian, who invented a contrivance for military purposes so wonderful that his jirecioiis life and secret were only preserved with the greatest difficulty from the attacks of foreign spies. Well, much of Austin's tale seems to be bosh. Instead of findine the Admiralty waiting for him with open arms, the inventor has been cooling his heels on the doorstep of that august body for. six months past and it is only after the most persistent efforts that he has even managed to secure the promise of a trial. This, after all the mish of a few months ago, is significant. However, a model of Austin's invention, which it is claimed will allow guns to be fired with absolute accuracy in any weather, is being constructed in England in piecemeal fashion so that no person may know hnvv the different parts fit together. When this model is completed, the Admiralty will, presumably, state whether they are prepared to pay tlie trifling price of £1,000,000 said to be asked for the privilege of introducing the appliance to British warships. The Defence Council, in its tendency to destroy the individualism of companies and adopt the battalion ' system in its entirety, would do well to hasten slowly. Only a small proportion of the executive officers of battalion or regimental staffs have experience enough to ensure the success of the scheme. The officers palpably need thorough training in departmental work and military usage, and the necessity for an efficient military college is more apparent than ever. Volunteering has been almost dead in Auckland for the past few iveeks. The Drill Hall has been closed to military men, and companies have had a not unwelcome respite from their labours. The Winter Show Committee have made a handsome donation towards volunteering funds. The members of the " A " Battery " treked " to Otahuhu on Saturday, and on Sunday put in a useful day's work with the guns. These periodical practices do an immense amount of good, and it is hoped that under tlie new system they will be held more frequently. The authorities have decided to re-oaint the field-guns of the colony, the colour bein^ changed to a dark green. The change has already been effected in the case of the Dunedin Battery, and the guns look much more business-like than when they were coated in light khaki.

Cheap sensationalism of the American evangelistic order may attract congregations. It may also provide topics of conversation for the teatable and other places, but how it is advancing the welfare of the community we are utterly at a loss to understand. — Stratford Post.

It is all very well to saj an Arbitration Court can fix rente, but if there are three people wanting two houses it will be found almost impossible to keep rente down, and, on the other hand, if there are only two tenants for three houses it will be just as difficult to keep rents up. — New Plymouth Herald.

Nearly every Australian of note who was honoured by being admitted to the Exhibition at the ordinary fee has gone back to his own country and severely criticised the Exhibition, the management, and all that therein is, or appertains. The charging of distinguished commissioners and other notables entrance to be allowed to see their own courts seems rather severe. — New Plymouth News.