We are by no means inclined to be disheartened by
this reply, or to imagine that it shows that the Government am capable of committing the supremo folly of killing the force by telling the Volunteers that they are not wanted and had better go about their business. That, we are convinced, the Government will never do. Hero we should like to say that though we pleaded very strongly for the passing of Lord Lincolnshire's Bill, we have never regarded it as the only solution of the problem. We urged the passage of the Bill because we understood from Ministerial statements that, in the opinion of the Government, nothing could be done without an Act of Parliament. Our own view has always . been that, if the Government liked to show a little boldness, they could by
administrative action do all that avas necessary. Tho powers of the Crown plus the old Volunteer Act, still unrepealed, in reality meet all the difficulties. Let us hope that this may yet prove the solution.
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