We are very glad that the House of Lords agreed
on Monday to read the Military Instruction Bill a second time. As far as we understand the Bill from the account given of it by Lord Frankfort de Montmorency, it will deal chiefly with cadet corps in public schools. But to be of real use its scope must be very greatly enlarged. At the same time, we agree with Lord Raglan that it is impossible to pass a Bill just now which will put any considerable charge on the revenue. What it seems to us that the supporters of the Bill ought to do is to provide an organisation, and only ask the Government for help which will practically add nothing to the Estimates. For example, the Government might be asked to provide weapons of disused patterns gratis and to give range facili- ties. Inspection they might also fairly give free. The public schools can certainly afford all else that is needed for universal military instruction out of their own resources, or by adding a very few shillings to the athletic charges, and should certainly do so. The Government need not do more for them than give encouragement and facilities. In the case of the elementary schools they might, we think, do a little more and provide a certain amount of Morris-tube ammunition free for practice in elementary schools. Again, why should not a certain standard of efficiency in drill and shooting be made obligatory in all schools with a Government grant ? In any case, we are sure that by means of a little forethought and organisation a great deal might be done to give schoolboys an elementary training in drill and shooting, and yet little or no additional burden be placed on the tax- payer. The Secretary of State for Scotland has already set an admirable example in this direction, and there is no reason why his example should not be imitated and developed.
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