HOW TO AVOID CONSCRIPTION.

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTA.TOR.1

beg respectfully to submit the enclosed suggestions for your consideration :- (1) To obtain county registers of men willing to learn the use of the rifle, and attend butts for practice.

(2) To establish local armouries in all towns of over two thousand inhabitants, with a sufficient supply of the Service rifles and ammunition available for men registered as will- ing to train for riflemen, and to have Morris-tube appli- ances and galleries fitted up where the ordinary range is not available within a reasonable distance.

To manufacture and issue sufficient ammunition at a reasonable cost. (N.B.—A profit may reasonably be charged to help pay cost of maintenance of ranges, armouries, &c.) To secure the attendance of all registered riflemen once yearly for firing before a Government inspector, and such riflemen to secure a certificate of proficiency within three years under a penalty of 15.

To institute annual county rifle prize competitions with cups, medals, and money prizes supplied from the county rates and Government funds.

To fix a county rate for the maintenance of the ranges, armouries, &c., and incidental expenses therewith. (N.B. —Practically a small national insurance fund.) To supply range targets that comprise the ordinary rifle butts, running deer, and other similar arrangements calculated to attract competition and increase effectiveness.

To train all the county police forces in the use of the rifle ; a certificate of proficiency to be necessary for intending candidates after a certain period.

To arrange with all railway companies to issue tickets at reduced fares to riflemen producing the certificates of registration when travelling to local ranges for firing purposes.

(10) To have compulsory drill in all large public schools and Board-schools, including girls' schools.

Suggestions for the consideration of the War Office.

As the new Census will be taken next year, it may be worth whileto consider the advisability of getting some idea of fighting material that can be made available in the Old Country. There is now time to make preparation and secure some extremely valuable informal ion without a very great extra expense if a printed form somewhat on the lines shown below were attached to the next Census papers issued to the public.

Questions to be answered by the heads of families.

(1) If ever been connected with the Army, Navy, or Volunteers ? (2) If can either ride or shoot ?

(3) If any sons over the age of sixteen can either ride or shoot ? (4) If self or sons would register themselves as willing to join local Mounted Infantry or Volunteer corps ? (5) If possessing a horse or horses, and of what description, if other than the ordinary cart or dray horse ?

(8) am, Sir, &c., T. W. OFFIN, jun.

Warrior Square, Southend-on-Sea.