We are glad to notice that Mr. Asquith has adopted
a recom- mendation originally made in these columns, though one, of course, for which we claim no patent—that where there is congestion men after enlistment should go back to their homes until they can be conveniently called up for train- ing. The Government, we rejoice to see, have gone much further than we dared to go. We only proposed that a recruit temporarily sent back to his home should have the Army pay of ls. a day. The Government are going to do the right thing and give him instead 3s. a day. That is, of course, perfectly sound. The Government, after a man is enlisted, take the obligation to feed him, clothe him, and give him ls. 3d. a day. This means at the very least 21s. a week out of pocket for the Government. Why should they save at the expense of the soldier if he goes home for their convenience and not for his own ? We are very strongly against giving anything in the shape of bounties, but by this act of decency and generosity to the new recruits the Government will get a good deal of the good and none of the harm of bounties. Men will very much like having a week or ten days at home and being well paid.
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