OUR DEFENDERS

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 43, 13 July 1907, Page 14

OUR DEFENDERS

By Lee-Enfield.

THE energetic Inspector-General, Colonel Davies, who, in the course of his wanderings through the colony has struck Hawera, has been jerking out, with his usual directness, sentiments that will be extremely gratilying to Secretary Haekett and other organisers of the National League. It is true the worthy Colonel did not admit that he had parted with his humble shilling and had joined the ranks of the League that is to save the Empire, but he made some truthful references to our military position. "What he wanted," he said, " was that the young men should • realise that they had to take a share in the defence of their country. There were many people who would die for their native land if occasion arose, but they were not prepared to work for it. We did not get the flower of the nation by any means in the British Army, and it was simply marvellous?, when this was remembered, that we' had such a good force. It indicated what a magnificent army we would have if it was compulsory for everyone to take his share, and we had the pick of the brains to draw ut>on." While in Hawera, Colonel Davies rcresided over the festive board at a " smoker " given by the Hawora Mounteds, the corps in which the Tnspector General joined as a private, and gained the first step on the ladder that has led up to the position he holds to-day. The programme has been issued for the Empire rifle meeting by the National Association of New South

Wales, and complete conditions have been published for the great struggle between -England and her Colonies. This match will be fired at 300, 500, 600, 800, 900 and 1000 yards, with teams of eight men, and under Bisley conditions. In addition to this event, a splendid programme of items open to all marksmen has been arranged. The meeting commences on October 18th, and should easily eclipse anything hitherto held in Australia. The patriotism of Westport is aflame and the members of the Defence Council are trembling in their shoes. The authorities, it appears, have been rash enough to disband the "Westport Battery, in which,there has lately been friction, and a dav or two ago a mass meeting, presided over by the Mayor, was held to oppose the removal of the guns and sit on the Council for their temerity. The discussion was conducted with true Westportian zeal, but serious trouble was saved by a hundred energetic spirits throwing themselves into the breech and offering to form a new corps. So, for the present, the local indignation slumbers. Major Tuson, the newly appointed Adjutant-General, speaks four languages. Before he has straightened out many of the anomalies of New Zealand's military show, the gallant Major will admit that even with four languages at his command it is sometimes difficult to adequately express one's feelings. The adoption of the Imperial Training Manual has been authoritatively announced, and the alteration will be made as soon as the supply of books ordered by cable come to hand. The authorities have, however, decided to adhere to the single rank of formation, instead of the double. The Mounted Rifle drill will be entirely revised and a new book printed.