The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-14 00:00:00

THE NEW VOLUNTEER BILL,

The Act introduced in the House of Comtnotni by
Under-Secretary for War has been printed. It
for the acceptance by the
d through lieutenants of
Croovwidneos,f isnertvhiecefisrsptrpolffaecree,
counties, and for the immediate formation of corps
on that basis. The permanent staff to be attacLed
to every volunteer corps is to consist of an adjutant
commissioned by her Majesty, and of so many ser-
geant instructors as may seem fit. Officers, except
such as are on the permanent staff, will take their
commissions from the lieutenant of the county,.
Officers of the volunteer force are to rank with
officers of her Majesty's Regular and Militia forces
as the youngest of their respective ranks; and with
officers of the Yeomanry force according to the
rank and date of their commissions in the respec-
tive forces. The acceptance of a commission in
the volunteer force by a member of Parliament
will not render his seat vacant. The conditions
on which a volunteer may, unless on actual mili-
tary service, quit his corps, are that he shall give
14 days' notice in writing, that ho shall deliver up
all arms, clothing, and appointments issued to him,
and that he shall pay all money due or becoming
due by him, either as subscription or fine. Ap.
peals are to be made to two deputy lieu-
tenants or to one deputy lieutenant and a justice
of the peace for the county to which the corps
belongs ; and their determination, after hear-
ing evidence on oath, will be binding. -Whenever
any volunteers are on actual military service, or are
undergoing inspection, or are voluntarily doing any
military duty, her Majesty may put them underthe
command of general or field officers of the army,
but so, nevertheless, that the volunteers shad be led
by their own officers under such command. An
annual inspection of every volunteer corps is to be
held, by a general or field officer of the Queen's
army. The declaration of requisites of efficiency
n ay from time to time be made by her Majesty in
Council. The rules for officering administrative
regiments fernitd by the union of two or more
volunteer corps are similar to those laid down in
respect to separate corps; and notwithstanding the
formation of any such regiment the separate corps
formed into the same will be severally deemed volun-
teer corps for all purposes of the Act.
The second part of the bill relates to actual mili-
tary service, and it gives power to the Crown to
dirct lieutenants of counties, in case of apprehended
invasion, to call cut the volunteers. If any such
officer, volunteer, or noncommissioned officer, not
incapacitated by infirmity for military service,
refuses or neglects to assemble or march he
shall be deemed a deserter. An officer of the
volunteer force disabled on actual military ser-
vice will be entitled to half-pay, according to his
rank ; and the widow of such an officer killed
on actual military service will be entitled to
the like pension for life as the widow of an
officer of her Majesty's army. A volunteer or non-
commissioned officer of the permanent staff, disabled
on actual military service, will, according to his
rank, be entitled to the like pension and other
benefits, if any, as a soldier of her Majesty's army.
The third portion of the act relates to matters of
discipline; the fourth to the rules and property of
corps; the fifth to the acquisition of land for ranges;
the sixth to exemptions; and the seventh fo miscel-
laneous provisions. The schedule contains the form
of oath to be administered to officers and volunteers,
and the forms of warrants and certificates to be used
in various cases. The act concludes with an un-
necessary statement that its terms do not extend to
Ireland,