THE VOLUNTEERS

ANOTHER SCATHING REPORT. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 1. Colonel Fox, the military adviser to the Government, in his annual report, which ■Wm kid'before Parliament yesterday, states that considerable improvements have been made during the year regarding the general knowledge possessed by officers, non-com missioned officers, and men of the volunteer force; but that improvement would have been more marked had the instructors been of better quality, and he strongly recom mends that several of the present drill sergeants and instructors be replaced and the staff augmented by competent men. He had generally found that the officers have done as much as could reason ably be expected of them, but it is quite impossible for them to learn the most im portant part of their work unless they are instructed in that work by skilled men. Many of the officers, who are now able to instruct their men in outpost work, are themselves unable to place their men in the fiekL This, however, is not to their dis credit, as they have not received the neces sary training. The work learnt in a drill hall is of small value unless the officers are competent to turn that work to account when in the open and exposed to the fire of an enemy. It is practically im possible for the district commanding officers to impart the necessary instruction. They visit their companies periodically, but rarely see them except at night, and their work is so continuous that it is impossible for them to remain more than a night at a time at each place. During the past year he (Colonel Fox) has done what he could by having the companies out at daybreak, as well as in the evening, to impart instruction to officers. This, he has much pleasure in sayiug, was originated by the volunteers themselves, which proved that they are anxious to make themselves as efficient as possible. In again urging that the force should bemade moreefficient bysupplying the necessary instruction, Colonel Fox says that it must be remembered that the volunteers are the sole defence force of the colony, the permanent force being of no value, unless supported by Homo other efficient force. 