“In the way they should go."

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 139, 22 June 1901, Page 4

“In the way they should go."

London, May 3. The Cadets Bill, which passed its second reading in the House of Lords last Monday evening, is an interesting measure. The main idea is to make military drill a part of every schoolboy’s education; to form instructional corps among the juniors; and to encourage the extension of cadet battalions among the seniors by providing them, at the cost of the State, with instructors, arms and ammunition, and allowing them the use of War Office ranges. Viscount Montmorrency, svho is responsible for the introduction of the Bill, put the cost of this at £50,000. But Lord Raglan’s estimate, based on official inquiries, multiplied that figure by four, and it was simply on this monetary ground that, as the spokesman of the Government, he opposed the Bill. But one statement he made is worth noting. Referring to the great increase of the volunteers, ho declared that the Government is within measurable distance of having more men than can profitably be employed in the defence of the country. He admitted that there was a dearth of officers, but sarcastically doubted if any groat increase could be looked for from 11 imperfectly trained youths.” Earl Spencer was surprised at the official estimate of the cost of the Bill, and though he thought no capitation grant ought to be allowed to boys of twelve, still be did not approve of the rejection of the measure. Nor did other Peers who spoke. So the Marquis of Lansdowne offered to let the second reading go, though ho disclaimed any Ministerial responsibility for a measure which would give capitation grants to an illimitable number of schoolboys and “ turn youthful warriors loose on public rifle ranges.” So the Bill was read a second time, and there it will stop, for, as the Lord Chancellor pointed out, it involves taxation, and therefore ought not to have been introduced into the Lords at all. The Bill, however, is a step in the proper direction I believe. As at present outlined, it certainly involves great expense. But if in some modified form drill could be given to the schoolboy the resulting advantages to the physique of the country would be enormous, there would be great lessons learnt in discipline and self-restraint, and resources would be created that could be drawn on in time of need. The principle is excellent, but the details want much manipulation and modification. The greatest defect of all is that boys at public elementary schools, the class to which drill would perhaps be most beneficial, would not come under the operation of the scheme. There seems little likelihood, in the presence of these and other grave faults, that the Bill as it stands will ever become law.