In the House of Commons on Tuesday Sir Samuel Scott
asked Mr. Haldane whether he could state if it was intended to compel Volunteer battalions willing to train for fifteen days to train only for seven days. Mr. Haldane postponed his reply. We most sincerely trust that when it comes it will be in favour of allowing any Volunteer battalion that wishes to do so to keep its camp open for fifteen days. We have always been strongly against compulsory camps for Volunteers, and against declaring that a Volunteer who could not go into camp for a fixed number of days was worthless. On the other hand, we fully realise the immense value of camp to the Volunteer, and hold that the State, without compelling, should do everything it can to encourage men to go into camp. The State should take from each Volunteer whatever service he is able to give. No doubt by allowing the Volunteers to keep their camps open for fifteen days a certain amount of expense will be incurred, but it will be a comparatively small matter. We venture to say that even if it costs 250,000 a year, it is well *milt while. There is no other way in which so much mili- tary force and efficiency can be obtained for the sum named. Elasticity should be the guiding-star in Volunteer policy. That Mr. Haldane will realise this is our strong hope.
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