VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS.

A movement which does honour to Ammanford was inaugurated very auspiciously on Thursday evening last, when a number of men, earnest in their purpose, assembled at the Council school to consider the question of forming a Volunteer Training Corps for the town and district.

An outline of what the scheme is, was very lucidly presented by Mr. W. N. Jones, who presided, and although there was some slight misapprehension as to the class of men who can be enrolled into the proposed Corps, this will right itself as the detailed work is entered upon.

It is sufficient to say that all present enthusiastically gave in their names as members, and after a very business-like meeting, the Corps was instituted and will hold its first parade this (Thursday) evening.

With a company commander who is an old Volunteer, an instructor who is an ex-Territorial with South African War experience, and with an executive committee comprising several ex-Volunteers, the movement is started on a sound basis, and we have not the slightest doubt that before very long the membership will approach two hundred.

There is a great number of persons in the district eligible for enrolment regarding the need of more men to maintain the strength of the armies in the field, we take it for granted that they are patriotic enough to accept their share of the work now being done by trained soldiers, who might then be released for service with their regiments.

Such work consists of guarding bridges, water supplies, and lines of communication. It is well known that the king takes great interest in the movement, and is delighted at the satisfactory progress made by the volunteer training scheme.

As is stated in an outline of the scheme given in a book of regulations, issued by the Central Association, recent events have shewn that the greater part of the manhood of the nation may be suddenly called upon to mobilise for its defence.

There is, however, a large residue who cannot join this mobilisation on account of age or for other reason, and the object of the V.T.C. is to induce as many men as possible to attain the modified training necessary for internal defence, or the defence of their hearths and homes in a greater national emergency.

“Individual valour, and even skill in arms, are of no use in defence against an organised enemy; these must be cemented by that discipline which can only be attained by the comradeship and sense of mutual support acquired by acting together in formed bodies or corps.”

The Ammanford Corps will have an advantage over many other places, inasmuch as it has a Drill Hall, with miniature rifle range, and on the spot a Recruiting Officer who has seen considerable war service.

Capt. Baker has promised to do all he can to help the Corps, and we look forward to it being very quickly in high state of efficiency.