Mounted Constabulary Corps.

Waikato Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1405, 31 January 1914, Page 5

Mounted Constabulary Corps.

I * UNDER THE FARMERS’ UNION. Mr H. W. Smales, of Cambridge, has handed us a copy of the rules and regulations of the Mounted Constabulary Corps which it is proposed to form under the auspices of the N. Z. Farmers’ Union. Thejfollowing are the chief items; Every man selected and elected must not only be of good character and repute, but must also be a resident in the distribt, with some stake in the country, and a present intention of remaining therein. Preference will Ire given to men who have had some military training, and understand the need and value of discipline. The appointed Organiser, having selected and appointed the Committee of six, has then no further power; he cannot appoint himself, but is at once eligible to be selected and elected as one of the troop of 25 then to be selected by the committee of six. After the Committee of six appointed by the Organiser, eaeh man as elected becomes one of the Selection Committee, until the troop is complete. The area or locality of each Organiser s district will be approximately described later and his selection and the Committee election must be confined to that locality, but any inadvertent overlapping or difficulty arising from odd numbers .or part of parts of troops only being available, must be reported to the head office, and there arranged. Should a district be too small for the forming of a complete troop, the Committee selected by the F.U. representative can unite with representatives of any adjoining district for the purpose of bringing the troop up to the proper strength. Objects.—The objects of this Corps are the preservation of our rights and the maintenance of law and order. Organised by and under the control of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union, Auckland Province. Provisional Committee to draft Rules and Regulations Majors Lusk, Tattersall, Wynyard, McKenzie! Jolly. Captain Colbeck, Colonel Ryder, Captain Herrold, and Mr E. McGregor. Membership.—Farmers and others directly or indirectly interested in farming, including professional § men living in country districts, not under the age of 21 years, to be selected elected.

Declaration of Allegiance ~I desire to join the Farmers’ Union Constabulary Corps, and I undertake, so long as I remain a member of the Corps, at all times to maintain discipline, and to obey the Commandant-Gen" eral and the officers representing his authority; to acknowledge the Executive of the N.Z.P.U., Auckland Province, as the supreme governing body of the Corps, and -to make myself acquainted with and duly observe the Rules, Regulations and Instructions now or hereafter authorised or promulgated by order of the Executive Council, God Save the King. Organisation.—The organisation to be run as if a military body, under rules and regulations as laid down in King s and other Army Regulations, and New Zealand Regulations. The force to be formed into troops of 24 men and one officer; four troops to a squadron ; four squadrons to a regiment. Two or more regiments shall form a brigade. In addition there shall be a Squadron Staff of a Squadron Leader, Second in Command, Sergeant-Major, Q.M. Sergeant, Farrier Sergeant, two Shoeing Smiths, Bugler and Orderly. The Regimental Staff shall consist :~0.0. Regiment, Second in Command, Adjutant, Reg. Transport Officer, Reg. Quartermaster, Reg. Medical Officer, Reg. Sergt.-Major, Rsg. Q.M. Sergeant, Reg. SaddlerSergeant and two Orderly Room Clerks.

Appointment of Troops.—An organiser in each district shall be appointed by the Proy. Executive, who shall select a Committee of six men, to be approved of by the P.U. Executive. These six men shall thereupon proceed to select the balance of men required to make up a troop of 25 men, who shall each and all be elected, and as elected shall become members of the Selection Committee. Appointment of Officers. -All troop officers shall be elected by the members of each troop, but in this case the appointment is subject to the confirmation, or otherwise, of the F .U. Executive. Troop leaders shall elect their squadron leader. Squadron leaders shall elect their regi • mental leader. Regimental leaders shall elect their brigade leader. Brigade staffs and regimental staffs shall be appointed by the brigade and regimental leaders respectively. In cases where a staff 02vser has to assume temporary/ command, such position must be confirmed by election before becoming permanent. Subscription.— Each member on ''f ! ' n o elected shall pay a subscription d Vm Shillings for the first year,

and thereafter an annual subscrip- ’ tion of Two Shillings and Sixpence. Honorary Members. —Any person in sympathy with the objects and work of this Corps, upon being nominated by two active members, may become honorary members on payment of Five, Pounds. , Badge. -A distinctive badge, showing the New Zealand Ensign, surrounded by the motto, * God and Our Eights, shall be provided and handed to each member on election, with his regimental number thereon. Parades. There shall be at least a half-yearly parade of all ranks, either by troops, or as may be arranged. Note. This Corps, or association of unarmed Yeomen, can only be called into active service by direction and under the control of the Government.