The Wanganui Chronicle AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER WANGANUI, APRIL 20, 1864.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 391, 20 April 1864, Page 3

The Wanganui Chronicle AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER WANGANUI, APRIL 20, 1864.

It will be observed from an advertisement in another column, that the militia of all classes are called out for training in the months of May and J une. This is, we believe, in consequence of a report to the Governor by one of the officials, describing the present inefficient state of the Militia force in this Province. Many of the inhabitants have never attended a single parade, or perhaps handled a rifle all their lives. If, therefore, there is to be any militia at all, it is certainly proper that they should be called out for drill ; and if called out for drill, no lighter duty could be laid on the men than attendance at a parade once a fortnight. Indeed we suspect the duty is made so light for political rather tha& for military reasons ; but however this may be, the service is so inconsiderable-T—in all about 20 hours spread over two months and a half—that it should be.performed with alacrity and cheerfulness: At one time there was a good deal said here in disparagement of militia officers, with the view of throwing the service into discredit. But there could not be much reason for this fault finding, when the parties who disliked the militia might enrol themselves as Volunteers, with all the fresh hopes and pleasant aspirations that then belonged to the Volunteer service, whose young life has not by that time begun to decay

in consequence of the alternate fondling and neglect of the Government. At the present juncture, it is to be presumed, if at least a letter in another column expresses the general feeling, that the Volunteer service must now be even more distasteful than the Militia ; and that the only resource for those who still entertain an aversion to drill uuder any name, is the payment of an exemption fine. In Auekland this fine was ,£lO ; but whether the same privilege will be allowed here we ai’e uot aware.

The calling out of tlie militia of all classes, in however insufficient a manner, is an intimation that it is possible . their services may be ere long required. In this district we believe the call will be responded to with the promptness and good will which have always charactei’ised its inhabitants when they thought that danger threatened. And as almost all the residents have already learned a good deal of the drill required, the parade once a fortnight will rub off any little rust that may have gathered during the. considerable time that has elapsed since they were lastfout. Other parts of the Province, we suspect, are in a more backward state ; but then they are not likely to be so close to actual warfare. If there is to be war in this neighbourhood, it will be very shortly ; and it is necessary that we should be prepared for it. We are aware, from what has been going on in Auckland, of what may bo required of the Militia and Volunteer forces here, should this place be made a point of departure for troops engaged in actual service. Should this be the case, we have at least the consolation that a few weeks will be enough for the attainment of the object in view. For these few weeks of possible need for our local foroes, they should be in an efficient state ; and the least that can possibly be needed to make them efficient is now demanded of them. The necessity of the case is strong enough to enlist the willing services of every able-bodied man in the district-; and we have no doubt the first day of muster will shew that the inhabitants appreciate aright the peculiarity of the emergency.