This drew from Lord Portsmouth an assurance that the military
authorities were anxious to do all they could to meet the wishes of the Militia. The Government " would under- take as far as possible, subject, of course, to the supreme necessities of war, when the men of the 3rd and 4th Battalions were ordered abroad on active service, that their own officers should go with them." They would also undertake that of the officers below the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the 3rd and 4th Battalions, not more than one-half in each rank should be Regular officers. Ultimately the Duke of Bedford's amendment was agreed to. We devoutly trust that in the end Mr. Haldane will allow the Militia to take the shape suggested in the Duke of Bedford's speech, and in the Memorandum drawn up by the Militia officers last year but only published on Tuesday. The essential thing is that the Militia should remain a distinct force. If that is granted, the uses to which it is to be put determined on in the year 1907 are comparatively of minor importance. If they are not based on sound sense they can be altered; but nothing will bring the Militia back to life if once it is killed.
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