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

THE NEW VOLUNTEER BILL,

The Act introduced in the House of Commons by
th 9 Under-Secretary for War has been printed. It
provides, in the first place, for the acceptance by the
Crown of services proffered through lieutenants of
counties, and for the immediate formation of corps
on that basis. The permanent staff to be attached
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 he 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 aro
undergoing inspection, or are voluntarily doing any
military duty,
her Majesty may put them under the
command of general or field officers of the army,
but so, nevertheless, that the volunteers shall 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
ay from time to time be made by her Majesty in
Council. The rules for officering administrative
regiments formed 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 purposeb of the Act.
The second part of the bill relates to actual mili-
tary service, and it gives power to the Crown to
dinct 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 hie
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 to 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.