VOLUNTEER TRANSPORT IN THE MIDLANDS.
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In refutation of the disposition, of which too great a tendency has been manifested in some quarters of late, to _indulge in ill-warranted criticism of the work performed by the Volunteer Motor Transport Corps, it should be stated that recent operations at an important centre on the popular Lincolnshire coast have afforded results of an eminently practical nature. New experiences in regard to drill and equipment have represented far-reaching changes in relation to military arrangements, and whilst in this respect probably finality has not yet been reached, altered methods have afforded a striking exemplification in the direction of enhanced efficiency. Recent district inspections of units in the North and East Midlands by members of the headquarters staff from York have supplied sectional opportunities of demonstrating progress in relation to a branch of defensive service Which has enlisted the heartiest co-operation of owners of commercial motors, butPit has not been until within the last few weeks that there has been any general assembly for joint work. A coast resort, the scene ot many successful volunteer en
campments, was the rendezvous, which brought together 500 representatives of volunteer motor transport) work from corps in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and, although the camps were distinct, it was all to the advantage of camaraderie that the infantry units of various regiments should at the' same time have been under canvas upon neighbouring ground.
Petrol shortage andthe considerable distances to be traversed in most cases, handicapped some details of the work, but withal the programmelacked nothing upon the score of practical value. Operations upon the roads in the vicinity of the camp and extending for a tgdius of several miles over highways of a fairly exacting character, afforded scope for testing the efficiency at all points of a complete squadron of heavy transport cars, consisting of three-tonners, 30-cwt.
and 15-cwt. vehicles. Practical duties in . camp supplemented useful convoy work, the work being of no perfunctory character, commencing at 5.30 a.m., and continuing with necessary intervals until the corresponding evening hour. Tim type of vehicles used presented ample variety, and Major Pope, of the Northern command, who was in camp and had charge of the arrangements during most of the time, had adequate reason for satisfaction, which was endorsed by General McIntyre, who visited the camp on two days for the purpose of official inspection. The drill, which had been changed from infantry to Army Service Corps methods, demonstrated the capabilities of the men in many important directions, and the week, whilst not dev.old of social elements under agreeable seaside conditions, was crowded with work of the most practical character, Fortunately for the enjoyment of all concerned, the weather was perfect during the period of the encampment, and under such conditions no more desirable venue could have been chosen than —, now removed from the itinerary of ordinary trippers by railway restrictions. In continuation of the work, under the Northern command, another large assembly of Motor Transport Volunteers has been arranged to be held somewhere in the county of Yorkshire, from 21st to 28th September.