3 FEBRUARY 1906, Page 3

Lord Roberts sends to Friday's papers a letter dealing with

his appeal to the nation, made last June, for funds to encourage rifle-shooting as a national pursuit. In that appeal £100,000 was named as a minimum figure, but unfortunately only £1,860 5s. 3d. has been received. Lord Roberts attributes the failure of his appeal to the belief that it is the duty of the State to look after all forms of military training, but he insists that this is a mistake, and trusts that his hope of forming a national fund may yet be realised. We most sincerely hope it may be, for we agree with Lord Roberts that if rifle-shooting is to become part of the national life, as we desire it should be, it must be through a popular and voluntary movement.