OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12580, 29 September 1908, Page 5

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Threatened Disbandment of

North Dunedin Rifles

(Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, September 28. At a public meeting held to-night to protest against the disbandment of the North Dunedin Rifles, the following resolution was carried unanimously: — "That this meeting, called by public request for the purpose of considering the threatened disbandment of the North Dunedin Rifles, hereby desires to place on record that 6uch disbandment would be a great calamity at the present time, and detrimental to the best interests of volunteering in the Dominion. While not in any way wishing to criticise the judgment of the Defence Department, the meeting 1 respectfully asks the Minister of Defence to take steps to hold an outside commission of enquiry for the purpose of hearing both sides of the question, and thereby elucidating the difficulty." Mr Green (Mayor of North-East Valley) occupied the chair.

Frequent allusions were made to Lieut. - Col. Stoneham and Sergt. -Major Benfield, atfd a good many of the remarks were intemperate and arguments were heated. Oil was finally poured on the troubled waters by Mr G. M. Thomson.