rTo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECT A. TOR." 1
SIR,—Your correspondent " Senex," writing on "The Civil Service and the Army," does not appear to understand the position when he attacks heads of publio offices for " pre- venting " their subordinates from joining the Army. No Civil Servant could or would be prevented from enlisting if he resigned his post in order to do so. But this is precisely what he never does, and no wonder. When he joins the Army his place has to be kept open for him, he receives his full civil salary minus his Army pay, and a temporary substitute has to be provided with another salary to do his work. Heads of Departments have many faults, but some of them still retain a conscience about spending other people's money, and hesitate to encourage so expensive a form of patriotism. The time has unfortunately long since passed for most offline when the work can be reduced• so as to avoid the employment of substitutes for men who join the colours.—I am, Sir, &o.,
TAXPAYER.
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