OBLIGATORY MILITARY TRAINING.
rTo T. EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'] Sin,—Time, it is affirmed, is one of the chief allies of this country in the war. Why, then, are we allowing the precious days, weeks, and months to pass without instituting a system of military training for all mates between the ages of, say, seventeen and fifty P Two hours a day on three or four days of the week would in six months, and without causing any undue interference with trade, business, or agriculture, work wonders by improving the health and physique of the majority of the male population, whilst inculcating habits of discipline, and nothing would be more likely to bring home to every individual in these islands the tremendous life-and-death struggle in which the country is engaged and to cause labour troubles to cease. These partially trained men, as and when required, could be uniformed, armed, and otherwise equipped, and would very quickly complete their training for home service, and a large proportion would doubtless volunteer for service abroad. If considered necessary or expedient, a moderate sum might be paid to each man who puts in a minimum number of hours of attendance each week and attains a standard of efficiency within a fixed period. The existing Volunteer Training Corps should be officially recog- nized and enrolled as bm integral part of the defensive forces of the country. A mob of untrained, undisciplined men would of course be worse than useless for the purpose of resistance in case of invasion or raid, or, indeed, for any other military purpose.
The scheme would in no way interfere with, but, on the contrary, would promote, voluntary enlistment in the Army. This would be following the splendid example of Australia and New Zealand, whose citizen soldiers are covering them- selves with glory, and there could be no more fitting memorial to the late Earl Roberts, who devoted the latest years of his long life to the strenuous advocacy of universal military training for this country. As we have been at war for snore than twelve months, and are spending every day upwards of four millions sterling, and daily from a thousand to two thousand of our bravest and best are being placed hors cle combat, it behoves us not to lose a moment in putting forth the whole strength of our resources to grapple with the herculean task in front of us of bringing our enemy to his knees.
To sum up, the following (among many other) advantages would accrue from the immediate adoption of a system of obligatory military training : (1) No more precious time would be lost, and there is the greatest danger in further delays. (2) The enormous expense of calling up to the colours immediately all untrained men of military age would be saved, such men being a useless expense until they have been trained. (3) The difficulties of immediately providing accommodation, uniforms, arms, and other equipment for recruits would be avoided. (4) There would be no undue interference with trade, business, or agriculture during this period of preliminary training. (5) The health and physique of the male population would be improved and habits of discipline inculcated. (6) The partly trained men would quickly complete their training as soldiers and be available for home service, and a large proportion would doubtless
volunteer for service abroad.—I am, Sir, &c., CITIZEN.
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