VOLUNTEERING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6771, 7 February 1890, Page 4

VOLUNTEERING.

VICTORIA AND NEW ZEALAND. OPINIONS OF OTTR VICTORIAN VISITORS. LCoMiruNicAaajD."! Ifc may interest the Volunteers of Canterbury to read the gist of a conversation which the writer tad with, the Victorian Volunteers who visited Christchurch recently. The contrast between the Defence system in Victoria and what is called by the same name in New Zealand, will, I should imagine, be almost painfully evident to my readers. ENCOURAGEMENT. One of the first questions I asked Captain Hanby was : "What encouragement does your Government give men to join the force ? He replied that the Victorian Government now fully realised the advantage which would result to the country in the event of hostilities by encouraging as many men as possible to make themselves good chots as well as efficient in drill. BIFIiE CLUBS. With this end in view, Rifle Clubs have been established throughout the Colony. The organisation or these Clubs seems to be somewhat similar to thai; of our Honorary Reserve Corps. The members wear uniform, are sworn in as Volunteers, and provided with arms and convenient rifle ranges. Martini-Henry ammunition can be procured at a cost of five shillings per hundred rounds. Each Club is, apparently, officered as a Company of Infantry. PERMANENT AETILLERY AND MILITIA. On my asking as to other corps, Captain Hanby informed me that there were two hundred and fifty Permanent Artillery in charge of the batteries, under discipline similar to that of the Imperial Service. These are supplemented by Volunteer Garrison Corps — now called Militia — at each centre. The members of these corps have to put in six whole days, six half days, and. forty evening drills during the year. Each man receives ,£l2 per annum, less 9d per day deducted for six days' rations when in camp. In addition to this, a capitation grant of £2 10a per annum is paid to the corps for each efficient member. MOUNTED RIFLES. There are alßo a thousand Mounted Rifles, dressed in "Kakee" tunics, with Bedford cord pants, wideawake hats looped up at one side, brown leather belts, bandoleers and leggings. The colour of their dress renders the men almost invisible among tussocks or sandhills. The cost of tunic, pants and hat is £2 63, that of the leggings 5s 6d. The men are armed, with Martini-Henry rifles and bayonets. In addition to these Mounted Rifles, there is a body of men called Rangers, but I could learn nothing about their uniform or strength. I may here mention that some of the infantry are now being clothed in the " Kakee" uniform. SuperioroiEcers are imported from the Imperial service, for a period of five years, a plan whickenßures theVictorian service being "kepfrup<to date." THK SEW ZEALAND fiYSTBH ; — A CONTJ&A6T. When I told the Victorian officers of the difficulty in keeping up the strength of the-"corpa in New Zealand, they asked what capitation was allowed here, and on being told that an additional 20s "granted this year had brought it up to JB2-per man, they expressed surprise that our men made such a respectable turn-out on such a. small allowance. The Victorians had evidently heard whilst at tho Rifle Association's meeting that political influences were not without thei* effect on volunt<".-ing- in this-Colony. They thought that it, would be- a good thing, therefore, for our forces if Imperial officers were put in command for-atermof yearaas in. Victoria, for then, the forco would not be bo subject to-local, influences, and would feel the benefit of independent control. When it was explained to them that themen whom they had met at the Rifle Meeting had been specially provided with Martini-Henry rifles,, and that our Volunteers are still armed with the antiquated Snider, they were astonished, and said that our men would be- as good marksmen, as any in the Australian Colonies if proper arms and facilities for practice were provided. In this connection, the cost of ammunition was mentioned, and when the visitors heard that Martini cartridges coat usl2slodand Snider 8s a hundred, they agreed that riflo practice in New Zealand was a luxury out of tho reach o£ ordinary Volunteers, and that there must bo an excellent spirit among our men to have enabled them, to- attain to such, good form as they showed, considering that practice was so expensive. , . Afterjbtearing whatjny VictorianJxien4s •h&i. %<> say of the focilitiea, grs-ea to

not but; expresß a fervent wish that a Eimilar state of things may be brought about here, as it should if our Government value, in the smallest degree, the trouble and time devoted to ib by our Volunteers. Unless it is, I much fear that volunteering in New Zealand will languish, in spite of the pluck and public spirit of our men. Our Defence Minister should consider the lesson taught by the Boers, that a small force, well trained in the use of a good riflo, will always give a good account of itself in action. / The creation of numbers of good marksmen should, therefore, be one of the principal parts of our scheme of defence. I should mention that all the visitors remarked the energy of Captain Sommervillo in the cause of rifle shooting. The marksmen of the Colony owe him their warmest thanks, and it is to be wished that there was a man of his stamp in every Volunteer district.