The sitting of the House of Commons on Thursday was
chiefly devoted—very wisely—to the supply of horses for the war. It was alleged, and practically admitted, that the supply had at first been bad, that panics prices were paid for poor beasts, and that there was some reason, especially as regards purchases in Hungary, to suspect corruption. Lord Kitchener is now, however, quite satisfied with the number and quality of the horses which he obtains in South Africa, and Mr. Brodrick intends to establish a sufficient re- serve of horses in this country. The accusations of corrupticin will be probed to the bottom, but they do not affect the officers employed. It is the old story. Nothing was ready, there was a frantic outpouring of money, and at last, after months had been wasted, the great evil was repaired. Our own belief is that annual payments to farmers, not for horses, but for the right to take horses at a fixed price when required, would give the Remount Department command of a larger number than any other device. Unfortunately, the first Chancellor of the Exchequer who wanted to save would probably annex the allowances. It is absolutely necessary to check corruption, and these is only one way. Select honest buyers.
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