Nor had that. spirit by any means deen wanting in' the present generation, for more than once invrecent years citizen soldiers had laid down' their pens and taken their rifles to. man the borders. of the Settlement in defence. of their me terests. He was sure that that self reliant quality. of their race was not lacking in Shanghai now, although certain circumstances " had caused recruiting for the Volunteer Corps to fall off to a dangerous John appealed most earnestly to all British firms to grant fae much as they could, to their employees of military age to join the Volunteers, and, if this were done, ie felt sure that the' young men themselves. would realise and carry out the duty they owed to their nation and the community here putting in a period of service wit the Corps.
"The Young Men"
Col. Thoms reviewed the position during the last emergency, when there was a shortage of men, and said he would like to see firms put it to their young men. that they should fill up the existing gaps. spoke of the difficulties of absorbing men. who volunteered -at the. lao moment after an emergency had arisen, and spoke of the. necessity of men being' enrolled beforehand The Commandant then explained the three classes, of Voluntger service the Active, Reserve "A, and serve "BIN." The difference in these classes was in the amount of train-ug. which was done annually, The active Volunteers must attend a minimum of twelve drills, plus in. spection" parades and a course of musketry; the "A" Class reservists had six less drills to do, while the "B" "Glass reservists were ox. soldiers, Col. Thoms suid that, firms let the Committee know what men were available, they would able £0 do the rest.
'A general discussion followed, in which it was brought out that th men from Volunteer duty unless position was very critical, pointed out that "key" men could released if sufficient men enrolled in the Corps; if the burden were more evenly distributed, the Chaire man said, they would get all the men wanted.
The Chairman said that the sug gestions made at the meeting and those which had been made in letters would receive the very serious con sideration of the Committee,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.