The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-16 00:00:00

MR. FORSTER ON THE VOLUNTEERS.

In London, on Saturday, the annual distribution of
prizes to the members of the 2nd Tower Hamlets Rifle
Voluoteers took place at their Drill Hall. The prizes
having been distributed by Mrs. Forster, an interest.
jag ceremony was performed, consisting of the pre.
notation of an illuminated address to Lady Victoria
Buxton from the officers, non-commissioned officers,
alai men of the corps,
.and of a sword to Sir T. F.
Buxton, in token of the affectionate regard and
esteem in which the late commander was held.
Colonel Buxton, it may be mentioned, has just
resigned the command of the regiment which he has
held for 25 years, and has been gazetted as Its hozorary
colonel.

Colonel Buxton replied, remarking that he con-
sidered his retirement from the active command a
promotion rather than a reduction, as he was now
their honorary colonel, and should be with them on
all occasions when it was possible.

Mr. Forster, in replying to the vote of thanks to
Mrs. Forster, referred to the advantages in the way of
outdoor exercise, and drill which were afforded by a
corps like the Tower Hamlets to young men employed
in London. Speaking of the volunteer movement in
general, he said that Colonel Sir Powell Buxton had
mentioned the origin of the corps in 1859. Just about
that time he (Mr. Vorster) started as a volunteer officer,
though he never got beyond the rark of captain. He
could well recollect with what cold looks they who
were earnest in the matter were received. There was
a sort of feeling among those in authority that they
would do no good and might do a great deal of harm.
They would probably increase the bellicose, aggressive,
and warlike spirit and the wish for the country to
engage in war. They were never likely to be anything
but sham soldiers, and the only comfort they had about
them was that they would soon become tired of it, and
nothing further would be heard of the volunteer
affair. How contrary the result had been. The volun-
teer movement had been a reality and no sham. It had
gone on increasing year by year, the voluntsers had
become more efficient and more acknowledged by the
military authorities as a part of the defences of the
country. The further conditions of efficiency year by
year were responded to, and, in fact, in the reorga•
nisation of the military service, each volunteer batta-
lion was coitheated With a regiment of the line. But
it was not merely that they had gone on in efficiency.
They had not increased the aggressive spirit. He be-
lieved there was more feeling of responsibility on the
part of England about going to war now than there
was twenty or thirty years ago, and he attributed no
little of that feeling to the volunteer movement.
Another thing that they had done was this—they had
got rid of panics of the fear of invasion. If it had
not been for the volunteer movement, one of two
things must have happened—either that at a tremen.
dons cost to the ratepayers the army must have been
increased by voluntary enlistment, or, and the latter
would have been much more likely, they would
have been obliged to have recourse to the system
which prevailed in every other country, that
of conscription. Taking the present number of
volunteers at 200,000, and estimating past years
In the same proportion, it meant that a million of
men had been passed through the ranks of the Volun-
teers, No doubt many of those were dead, and many
had got too old to serve, though even worn out old
men like himself felt that they could remember some-
thing of their drill if necessary. In conclusion the
right hon. gentleman said—We cannot get rid of the
necessity of having a considerable army to defend the
interests of England, however we may wish to keep it
down. We cannot forget the duties England has to
fulfil. There never was a country with duties in so
many parts of the world. We know not what may
happen. Some people say "Shirk the duties, and do
not perform them." But we must perform them. There
are duties attached to every Power, and you may be
certain that the country that does not fulfil its duty in
proportion to its power will cease to have that power.
You know what is happening now. I am not going
Into any disputed question, as this is not the time for
it. All our thoughts are now concentrated anxiously
upon what is happening elsewhere. I hardly like to
allude to this subject, simply for the reason of the
presence of that distinguished officer (Colonel Mon.
crieff), who has honoured us with his presence to-night.
And yet I cannot allude to the fulfilment of duty.
without some remembrance of the fate which has- be-
fallen his heroic brother in the Egyptian deserte. In
the cause of humanity, in the service of his country,
and in doing what he believed to be his duty, he lost
his life not far from Souakim. Well, is there any one
of us whose ruling thought from night to morning and
from morning to night is not, "What became of that
heroic and brave man who is now at this moment
crossing that desert by means of nothing but his
strong arm and his brave heart "—I mean General
Gordon? I think I ought to mention to you that I
was told just before I came here by a member of the
Ministry that the Government had received confirma-
tion of the statement that he has been heard of half
way across the desert. I now allude to this as an
illustration of the duty that England has to perform.
It is, therefore, necessary that she should have special
reserve forces. Because I believe the volunteers are
the most effective reserve forces I always watch the
movement with such pleasure, and I congratulate you
on taking part in it.

CIGAR MAKING AT SEVILLE.—A letter from Seville
describes the Government cigar factory of Spain. The
factory is 700tt. long, and almost as wide. At the
time it was visited by the writer, there were 230 young
girls in the vestibule, making cigarettes; in the next
room were 100 other girls engaged in the same occupy",
tion, and on the next floor 3000 women as close as
sardines in a box, in a single room, making cigars,
some of them having their babies with them not a
month old, while dogs were lying on the tobacco stems,
The woman were divided into sevens at each table,
three on each side of the mistress at the top, Around
each table were shelves against stone pillars, on which
lay children's shoes, socks, anit clothes, The air was
stifling, and the buzz of conversation was now and
again broken by the wailing of the babies. The floorfrg
was so dilapidated tbat it was possible for an incauticila
visitor to fall through, Two other side apartroeute
WM. lung were psvikari with labourers, TO fact•TY
°menthes 10,000tita„ cif tot:woo per (la 7 era @try]. -is
BM) persmn, whr revalve MN a &sr for twelve hours?
work,. The inntrou at gaols WE) Wilber FPI two $49.
Amu= tau mammal.