TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION L. 



749 



The Volunteer movement in schools corresponded closely with its progress in 

 the country ; in 1860 two Eton Masters formed the first Cadet Corps, and since 

 1872 the Eton Corps has almost always gone into camp at the end of the Summer 

 Term. After the South African war the Officers' Training Corps was founded 

 by the War Office, with the special intention of forming a source from which 

 officers for the Regular Army could be drawn ; the result has been to make 

 drill, shooting, and field work at school keener and camp-life more strenuous ; 

 and, outside the Regulars, the O.T.C. is one of the few organisations able to 

 provide officers and men at short notice. The County of Middlesex took the 

 lead in introducing military training into the county and mimicipal schools, 

 the necessary funds being raised partly by a small grant from the War Office 

 and partly by a subscription from the games fund, although in some cases 

 parents and friends have contributed. The question is controversial, but 

 England is now face to face with realities, and must realise that it takes time to 

 build up a great, efficient organisation. In New Zealand and Australia training 

 in military subjects is compulsory; and, should it be objected that this leads 

 to militarism, the experience of Canada disproves the accusation. In a pamphlet 

 signed by some of the most influential religious and educational authorities in 

 the Dominion, and approved by the Canadian Government, it is stated that 

 ' Some Canadians object to the introduction of drill into the schools because 

 they think it develops a spirit of militarism ; experience has proved that this 

 view is incorrect. . . . Drill does more than develop a spirit of patriotism ; it 

 reveals to a boy his value as a citizen, and therefore his responsibilities for the 

 performance of his duties as a citizen, not merely in the defence of his country, 

 but upon the highest development of his country in all departments of national 

 life.' 



6. The Military Training of Youthin Schools. — A Revieiv of the Systems 

 of Training in the British Empire and in Various Foreign Coun- 

 tries. By A. B. Wood, M.Sc. 



The object of this paper is to supply a few undisputed facts which may serve 

 as a basis for a scientific discussion on this important problem. Information 

 has been collected from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, 

 Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, and U.S.A. As it is 

 impossible in a brief abstract to mention all these countries, one or two cases 

 only are given. 



Australia. — In Australia all male inhabitants (except those specially 

 exempted) are liable to military service in time of peace as well as in time of 

 war. This principle of compulsory military training was made law in 1909, and 

 came into operation in January 1911. The Defence Act provided compulsory 

 military education for boys as follows : 



When in full operation this system involves the training of 100,000 Senior 

 Cadets and 128,000 Militia (the population of Australia — excluding aboriginal 

 natives — being about 4^ millions). The Junior Cadets (12-14) are given a 

 general physical training, including swimming, first-aid, and miniature rifle- 

 shooting. Senior Cadets (14-18) are subject to military discipline, and have 

 regular military drills and rifle practice. On attaining the age of 18 the boys, 

 if fit, are transferred to the Militia. 



