Our Most Defensive Force Of all our national defence forces
the most unequivocally- defensive is the Territorial Army, and none merits more unreservedly the support of every, good citizen. The low ebb to which its recruiting had fallen last year was really a danger to the country. It is all the more satis- factory to note that- the steps-since taken to improve it have met with considerable success. In the five months April to August, 1936, the intake was 20,082 recruits as against 12,536 • in the same period during 1935— an improvement of 60 per cent. Much more, however, is needed, as the force is still short of establishment by 1,862 for officers and 40,410 for other ranks. A good deal depends on employers, who have it in their power to make it easy or hard for their employees to join and attend camp. We should like to see the Socialist majori- ties on certain local councils, who have refused their men facilities,. have the courage to reverse their policy. No creed, save that of complete non-resistance (which most of them do not profess) can logically justify crabbing the . Territorials.
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