(To THE EDITOR or THZ " SPECTATOR.") Sut,—The Spectator has
always been a very good friend of the Volunteers, and the excellent article in your issue of November 18th will, I believe, be welcomed by thousands of us who are exasperated and depressed by the indecision of the authorities. There is little doubt but that the force requires a strong tonic, and unless one of two courses is adopted it will weaken and weaken. If the scheme of compulsory Volunteering is not accept- able, I believe it would enormously strengthen the force if we were given a certain assurance that in the event (as seems probable) of the military age being extended to, say, forty-five years, separate Volunteer battalions will be formed into which men of, say, eighteen months' service with the Volunteers will be drafted upon enlistment. The present position of the average man of forty-five years of age of social position is anything but enviable. He is too old to enter an O.T.C., and has no chance of getting a commission. If after two years of service with the Volunteers he is ultimately compelled to serve with conscripts and slackers, it will be most unjust. Our authorities could have long since obtained, and I believe could even now obtain, that concession for us, but no effort in that direction seems to have been made. If it were obtained I believe it would be an inestimable advantage, as well as a just reward.—I am, Sir, &c., San Barr. K.V.R.
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