We fear that the struggle to preserve the Militia will
be a difficult one, as the force has many enemies ; but it is one well worth making. We trust, as we have said elsewhere, that the leadership in this truly national cause will not be left solely to the Opposition, but that Unionists, in spite of their fiscal views, will speak with no uncertain sound. If they are content to let Mr. Arnold-Forster have the carte blanche he asks for, the Militia, even if preserved in name, will be in fact destroyed. It is very difficult to say what will be the pecuniary effect of Mr. Arnold-Forster's changes; but dpparently the saving is only £500,000 a year. Surely it is madness to destroy the Militia for so paltry a Sum. An increase of the liquor licenses which would hardly be noticed by the " trade " would give us that sum in an instant. It only remains to be said that the discussion of Mr. Arnold-Forster's scheme on Thurs- day was of a very perfunctory kind. We are sorry to note that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman appeared to think that the Militia had been "reprieved." If he will look a little closer at Mr. Arnold-Forster's speech, he will find that this is by no 'means the War Secretary's intention. He only proposes to postpone its destruction till the House and the country are not looking. Mr. Arnold-Forster, we must not forget to note, proposes to spend some £50,000 a year on rifle clubs. We are glad, of course, to see any recognition of the clubs, but do not ourselves think that such help is desirable if the clubs are to be put into the strait- waistcoat of War Office regulations. A far better plan would be to give the rifle clubs ammunition (Morris-tube and full) at half cost-price, and to make them grants of old but still serviceable rifles.
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