rTo TEl EDITOR OP TUB "SPECTATOR:] have read with much
interest the two articles and the letter from your correspondent which appeared in the Spectator of February 24th. A. parade in London will, I am confident, be most highly appreciated by all, and be an enormous incentive to recruiting. I know the en- thusiasm which was evinced when his Majesty graciously inspected the Veterans in Edinburgh, accompanied by the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Mary, when over 4,500 registered officers and men paraded in mufti. There was no question of any feeling about turning out in plain clothes, and I am confident that by their doing so it did not militate against either self-respect or discipline. I do, however, con- sider that there ought to be a badge for officers and a badge for N.C.O.'s, both distinct from the badge issued to the men.
I think that the War Office are prepared to sanction further expenditure on this Reserve; the that claim upon that money, after a special grant for initial expenses for properly organ- izing the Reserve, should be on rifle practice. Every member of Classes I. and II. should do an annual course of musketry, and this free of any expense to the individual. The establishment of a headquarters staff and office for the whole Reserve would, I feel certain, be the means of greatly assisting the raising and administration of the Reserve. Specially qualified officers could be delegated to go to a County Association where the Reserve was not very strong and assist it by addressing meetings and explaining the advantages and necessity of joining the Reserve, and give it the benefit of their experience in helping to raise the Reserve. My experience is that about 85 per cent. of those eligible will give their names if, and when, asked. I attended a meeting of ex-soldiers of Lanarkshire Association in a small *own recently, and explained the conditions to them, and every man eligible immediately came forward and gave in his name. I think that the National Reserve and the Regi- wental and Old Comrades' Associations should work closely together. Our Regimental Associations in Edinburgh have done excellent work for their men, and when their men were asked to join the Reserve there was never a question about it. Every man came forward at once. I strongly urge that the Territorial Associations should approach the regiment or Old Comrades' Associations in their counties, and they will find a helping hand readily given. The case of the ex-soldier is a just and proper burden on the community, and if the com- munity show the soldier that they mean to give him a fair
chance on his return to civil life you will find that lie will readily respond by doing this national service of joining the Reserve. Last August, when mobilization was imminent, the officer commanding a distinguished Highland regiment tele- graphed to me for the roll of National Reservists who had served in his regiment, which was a practical demonstration that he would be glad to get a draft of these men for his battalion and of the utility of registering the men according to the regiments in which they had served. I inclose a letter I prepared for the Press in connexion with the state of the Reserve in Edinburgh.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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