, 1908-09-30

f " 6oNNt ~ IL
to be maintained on drills and other occa-
SONS; 1t can not be expected either, thot
they should be willing to do SO the circum-
stances of the men composing the corps in
the towns, are different to those of the caval=
ry divisions III the country districts. More
over 1t does not look quite suitable that some
OF the men when on exercise appear in black
shoes, others in white shoes, or other colours.
III the country it is not noticed so much. if
at all, as the men are on horseback. 1t was
these and similar views that had been adj
vanced in the Municipal Committee which
led the Committee to propose that the men
OF the infantry divisions be furnished with
shoes of uniform kind, aud Government ac-
ceeded to the proposal. for the accomplish
ment of which the present amendment. III
allowing shoes for the infantry, it must be
understood that they are to last for the
whole term OF 3 years of duty, and must
not be used for other purposes than
when on parade or drill it is also un-
derstood that if the shoes are destroyed or
injured, the men must pay for them, and it
would not be impossible that tie shoes could
be made of n peculiar shape or furnished with
a stamp to make them easily distinguished.
With these remarks he would beg again TO
the grant under this amend
ment.
End Member for Christiansted (Sntithl
said he could not entirely agree with the
honournble last speaker (Coulter) in regard
to the restriction to be placed en- the use Of
the shoes and the distinguishing marks on
the shoes we must recollect, that while the
men are full of eagerness and JOY in attend
Ing to the duty, they suffer detriment and
loss by having to give q few hours every
day for that duty, which are taken from
their occupation and livelihood the drill
will take up n good deal of the time of those
men when furnishing them with shoes,
1t should not be done grudgingly and with
restrictions as to the use thereof, especially
II you make them responsible in case of de-
struction or injury; the men of the militia
corps should not be placed under such great
restrictions in regard to the articles furnish
co them for use, when you admit that it will
fall hard on them if they have to buy shoes
OF a particular stamp or make.
The Chairman said, that the men are not
called out a few hours every day for drill.
(Smith meant a few hours every week..
but any how, it Is prescribed that the men
shall have Uniforms, which implies a dress
of one form to distinguish them from others
as q body, and that notion surely implies
shoes of same kind but then it must be dis
timely understood and maintained, that, in
the same way as it is the rule in reference
to the clothes, the shoes furnished the men
to complete the uniform must absolutely be
used only when the men are on duty, never
on any private occasion or purpose II is a
matter of course that Government will fur
nish such rules as are requisite to ensure
proper order and control.
1st Member for Frederiksted (CouHer)
would beg TO say that iii the Municipal Com
mittee the same views were expressed when
entertaining this proposal hut it was also
understood that the detailed rules and re-
gulations must be given by Government,
4th Member for Christinnsted's Country
District (SCitSer). sail it is impossible to
control the use of shoes, no rules, no regu-
lations can guard against the militia shoes
being used as much if not more for private
purposes; no one will be able to go and take
up a mans foot and say: let me see if it
amt militia shoes you have on then again,
if one party gets shoes. all must get more
over those who can't buy shoes, should not
be in the Militia you might just as we'll say
the horses of the cavalry shall be supplied
with shoes. No, he will not vote for the
amendment, but for Governments proposal.
No one else required the word; 2nd dis
cussion was closed the amendment was put
to vote and adopted with 10 votes against /;
the Additional Grant for FIR. 1880 was then
adopted with 10 votes against l, and goes
a, nuy IN GovoruOnanC