The Rev. H. P. Wright, Chaplain to the Forces, sends
a long letter to the Times upon recruiting. He says, as the result of many discussions with non-commissioned officers, that to attract recruits more money is necessary ; and he would offer 8d. a day, and all found, the rations being, moreover, considerably improved. He would further grant 3d. a day to be saved up for the soldier, and paid to him on discharge in three instalments. This would amount to £30 after six years, while if he re-enlisted for six years more, it would be £60 at the end of the term. Mr. Wright would also .ameliorate many of the Service rules, particularly as to the time of returning to barracks, as to the issue of passes, as to fines for drunkenness, and as to taking away good-conduct badges. He -would also increase the number of clubs for soldiers. The sug- gestions seem sound, but obviously they would not suffice to content the soldier, for Mr. Wright would restore the practice of branding for desertion. The object of reform, as it seems to us, should be to make the Service as attractive as any other trade, and therefore enable the State to allow any soldier to quit, as an officer does, when he pleases, provided he has not been warned for service.
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