It is good news that the War Office are taking
the Volunteer Training Corps more seriously every week. In various parts of the country Volunteers have already been doing patrol and guard duties. There is every prospect that this sort of volunteer service will be organized and extended. The Central Asso- ciation are asking commanding officers to ascertain from each member whether, and when, he is willing to do day or night patrol work locally; whether he is prepared to go away for a week at a time or for a week-end, and at what intervals; and whether, in case of invasion, he would, in addition to service near his home, be prepared to servo in any part of the country. At the same time the War Office have wisely repeated and emphasized their warning that the Volunteer Training Corps are not intended for men of military age, and that those of military age who do join these corps will be expected literally to fulfil their pledge to serve as Regular soldiers if called upon. If many thousands of Volunteers can make time to take turns at home duties, many young soldiers willing to serve abroad will be released. Already one sees a clear prospect of enormously useful service opening before the Volunteers.
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