SIE,—Would not Lord Meath and you admit that it is
much better for a Cadet corps to wear uniform? Imagine an adult Volunteer corps wearing ordinary clothes : the image can hardly be tolerated. Lord Meath says that "the War Office recognises school Cadet corps so long as the boys provide themselves with uniform" (Spectator, December 3rd) The War Office does not care who provides the uniform; and Lord Meath himself alludes to a "few Cadet battalions supported by private subscriptions." I do not see why these should be few. I do not see why there should not be, in every place which has a Volunteer corps, a Cadet company (or companies) comprising the largest and most vigorous part of the whole boy population. At present it must be done by attraction ; but a uniform, drill, gymnastics, prizes, public exhibitions, church parades, field-days, and going to camp offer attraction enough to the ordinary boy and his parents. If in every place the men who for various reasons do not serve as Volunteers would pay a decent exemption-tax, the cost of the boys' uniforms would be quickly provided. We have here a Cadet company supported by private subscrip- tions. In so small a place the Cadets are inevitably in- significant in numbers ; but they are so good that they are quite a pride of the parish. If the whole force of public opinion were brought to bear on the creation of such corps, they would surely not be difficult to create; and we might thus secure without conscription the military provision we want, and our youthful population would be much improved.
—I am, Sir, &c., J. LLEWELYN DAVIES. Kirkby LonsdaZe.
[That an ununiformed body of men or boys with rifles in their hands is not so intolerable an image as Mr. Llewelyn Davies thinks will, we believe, be asserted by those who saw the two rifle club field-days held on the North Downs- Nevertheless, we agree that uniform is a pleasant and useful adjunct to drill and rifle-shooting, though not a necessity. Let us, however, begin by getting the boys drilled and taught something of the use of the rifle. When that is done, we can think of ways and means for making them look smart —ED. Spectator.]
A CORRECTION.
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