In the House of Lords on Tuesday a debate on
the new Army Act was opened by Lord Mount-Edgcumbe, who asked whether the Government would postpone the enforce- ment of the provisions of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act as regards the Volunteers till after their annual trainings, as in the case of the Militia. Lord Portsmouth refused to do this, saying that the present difficulties would thereby be made more complicated still. The debate was notable for the speech by the Duke of Bedford, which was yet another earnest protest against the transformation of the Militia. The conditions imposed on Militia officers, he said, were so binding that he could not conceive any one accepting them. The debate proved, what was indeed already apparent, that the form of attestation to be signed by men on joining the Territorial Army is a clumsy document, which will need modification. The recruit is threatened with bard labour for giving false answers to the numerous questions, and as one question is " Are you married P" it appears that some men, as Lord Midleton remarked, think that if they marry during their term of service they will be sentenced to three months' hard labour. We do not think the " minatory " character of the form has been exaggerated ; it is most unfortunate, and it might easily frighten men away. Volunteers ought to feel that they are being cordially invited, not that they are being threatened. We may note that the .3canchester Guardian also draws attention to a serious blunder in the clauses as to medical examination.
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