VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS—A SUGGESTION. [To THZ Emma or THE .. STZCTILTOZ.”]
Sia,—With reference to Mr. Fisher's letter in your issue of June 5th, in which he suggests that a Civilian Training Corps should transfer its headquarters to a seaside resort for the purpose of forming a camp where those who are over military age could, during their holidays, learn a certain amount of military training, may I be allowed to say a few words? First of all, the question arises as to whether by joining such a camp we should be utilizing our time in the best interests of the State. Those of us who have joined a Civilian Training Corps claim to have made ourselves sufficiently proficient to do guard work should the Government require our services. This, to my mind—owing to our age and inability to undertake any strenuous exertion—is the only service in a military way that will or can be expected of the members of Civilian Training Corps; and it seems to me that, having regard to the fact that we can sustain our proficiency by attending drills after our holidays (those of us who get any) and during our spare hours from business, we should be wasting our time by joining such a camp as Mr. Fisher suggests when there is so much other work in which we could be usefully employed. I may mention, for instance, that those who take a holiday in September could register their names at the Labour Exchange as being willing to assist the farmers in getting in the harvest ; and there must be work in connexion with the making of munitions or other work where their services could be utilized. As for those who are special constables, I know of many who are members of Civilian Training Corps and who have been able to put in a drill or so a week and have made themselves proficient to do guard work ; and even with those, like Mr. Fisher, who are not members of any corps, I consider they could more usefully spend their holidays in the manner above indicated.—I am, Sir, &c., M.
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