THE NATIONAL RESERVE. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIE,—Knowing the interest you take in the" National Reserve" — in fact, as being a pioneer thereof, I trust you will not mind my corresponding with you in reference to a matter which may have a serious result in deterring Veterans from joining. I speak as an officer of the Reserve, and enclose my card; but as I have no desire to seek or obtain publicity I prefer to sign myself as hereunder. In conversation at times with non-com- missioned officers and the men I find that there is considerable dissatisfaction felt in regard to the fact that—I may be wrong — any youth who joins any of the Territorial Forces—say at seventeen—having served his four years is then entitled to join the National Reserve. Speaking from my own experience and knowledge, I have on several occasions known of men • "In for a penny, in for a pound." "Bark is a good dog, holdfsst is a better."
joining on the spur of the moment who, after a abort time, have come to the conclusion that they have had enough of it. These would be entitled as matters are now to join us, and would probably do so inasmuch as there are no compulsory restrictions. My point in conclusion is this, that naturally an ex-soldier, sailor, or volunteer, say of ten to twenty years' service, and who can claim to be a Veteran, would not care to have a man of twenty-one years also classified as such. Why not put the limit of service and age for eligibility to join at, in the first case, six years, and in the latter thirty years P—Apologizing for troubling you, I am, Sir, &c.,
A NATIONAL RESERVE OFFICER.
[The prime object of the National Reserve is the formation of a register of all the men trained to arms in the nation who are no longer members of a military unit, but who at a time of great national peril would come forward to serve their country. In our opinion, it would be a very great mistake to exclude from such a register, and the organizations based upon it, any man who might in a great national emergency do useful service. A man who bad served for four years in a Territorial unit would undoubtedly be capable of useful service.—.En. Spectator.]
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