THE REFORMATION OF THE VOLUNTEER FORCE. [To THE EDITOR OP
THE " SPECTATOR."] Sra,—I plead the importance of the subject in asking for a little space. I write with the experience of an old (retired) commanding officer, and as a former large employer of labour. In the reconstitution of the Volunteer Force I think the following principles should be acted on. Firstly, the seventh section of the Act of 1863 should, as regards future enrol- ments, be amended by the substitution of three months' for fourteen days' notice of intended resignation. Secondly, the force should be frankly recognised as "partially paid," as is the case in some of our Colonies. Leisure Volunteers will give, but so long as service is not compulsory they should be recom- pensed for loss of wage-earning time. Whole-day and half- day parades for instruction, including target practice, should be paid for. When under any form of continuous instruction they should receive the full Army pay and allowances of their rank, including separation allowance if married, and payment for the days of assembly and dismissal. Camps should be for ten or twelve days, and for each man who attends a minimum of four consecutive clear days, exclusive of the days of arrival and departure (five nights in camp), the corps should receive a special grant of, say, £1 to cover wear and tear of uniforms, the extra cost of rationing consequent on the brevity of the training, and other inevitable expenses. Sundays should be allowed to count. The commanding officer should be reim- bursed the actual travelling expenses of the corps, including conveyance of stores. In like manner officers when under- going continuous training or instruction of any kind should receive the full Army pay and allowances of their rank, including hire of furniture and allowance for servant ; all travelling expenses and allowances, including those to examina- tions. In fact, beyond giving their leisure, they should be as little out of pocket as practicable. The annual grant to their corps on their behalf should be increased proportionately to the certificates they hold.—I am, Sir, &c., SEXES.
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