On Thursday evening Colonel Seely made a speech of no
small importance on the occasion of the presentation of prizes
to the London Scottish Regiment. With regard to that part of the speech which dealt with National Service and, as we hold, the absolutely false analogy of the pressgang, we prefer at the moment to say nothing, but we welcome with gratitude his sketch of what he proposes to do in regard to the National Reserve. "Arrangements," he tells us, "are now on the point of completion" by which the Government will
"ask each member of the National Reserve to undertake an honourable obligation in the event of imminent national danger to place his services at the disposal of His Majesty for Home Defence, or, if he so wishes, for general service in war."
Colonel Seely neat stated that he realized that the members of the National Reserve already "regard themselves as under an
honourable obligation to give their services in a great national emergency," and here we are certain that he speaks no more than the truth.
"What we shall do?' he goes on, "is to had out from each man the place in which he desires to serve and in which he can best serve in time of war. Clothing, rifles, and equipment are to be kept ready for them, and funds will be placed at the disposal of the County Associations to carry this scheme into effect. Every National Reservist so serving will receive what we may term most favoured soldier treatment, and whatever benefits or grants may be given to others they will share in greater or equal degree?'
Previous page
