Dear Mr. Booth has resigned his place on the Commission. There was great sympathy and warmth of feeling shown, and we all signed a letter to him.... It was a little breezy; but L. did not make much way. Mr. Crooks was interesting. It was a very long day. I thought I must stay till Mr. Brookbank had finished. I told the Com. I did not think I could manage Ireland. I believe I ought to take some Labour Colony visiting. It would be far easier, and much more to the point.
WAR OFFICE AND CADET CORPS
1909.
Letter to my Fellow-Workers.
We are, many of us, much exercised now as to the future of the Cadet Corps. The First London Battalion, founded in 1887, has always been linked closely with our work in Southwark, two companies drilling in the Hall, and the headquarters of the battalion being quite near. The health, the physique, and the moral training of our lads have owed much to it. More than eight thousand boys have passed through its ranks; and many have done honourable service for their country both by sea and land. The day has now come when the War Office are about to link on the Cadets to the general organisation for military service. They have issued suggested regulations, which appear to me, and to all the devoted group of gentlemen who have acted as officers to these lads for now so many years, to be full of peril to the whole movement.
It is proposed to make the severance of the Cadet from his officers, comrades, and club, compulsory at the age of seventeen. This regulation is not proposed for higher-class boys; and it would seem hard indeed to make it for such lads as ours. We have always felt the club life, the camping out together and with their officers, part of the most valuable influences possible. If it is to cease at seventeen, when the Cadet is not a man, when he is open to all the temptations of the streets, and to the undisciplined life there, most of the good gained from fourteen to seventeen would be lost. Moreover, no workman’s club is open to him till he is eighteen.
Setting aside the moral and physical training, it appears to us a great mistake from the point of view of those who desire to link such lads on to the organisation for the defence of our country. It is true that, if they desire to do so, they can join the Territorials. But these boys are not in a strong position to arrange with their employers to be given time; nor can they afford to sacrifice time or wages. Some do and would join the Territorials at seventeen; and we should not propose their being barred from doing so; but we think their severance from the Cadet Corps at seventeen should be optional. If they are inclined for a military career, they are far more likely to enlist in the regular army, where they would be provided for. This they cannot do till they are eighteen. For the sake of that unique and wonderful reforming power, which we have found the Cadet Corps to be for our London lads, we very earnestly deprecate the adoption by the War Office of the suggested rule of breaking its influence off at the early age of seventeen.
June 7th, 1910.
Octavia to Miss Alice Cockerill.
It is a lovely thought of yours to give[[133]] something, and like the sort of inspiration which she gave. I am glad you were at the service. It was indeed a gathering of those who loved her.