they are prepared to do their share to fight the battles of their country.  I am not going to say anything about the difficulties in connection with recruiting this great force to which the Prime Minister has referred.  No one could have doubted that difficulties of that kind would arise and that hardships would occur.  Criticism, I am sure, is not deprecated by the right honorable gentleman, and ought not to be, if it is framed entirely with this view—­to make sure that everything that can be done is being done to minimize the hardships and difficulties with which the authorities were confronted.  As the Prime Minister said, the machine was not framed to deal with an emergency like this.  No one could expect it to deal with it smoothly.  But we have a right to expect that the difficulties are understood at the War Office, and we have the right also to ask that since they cannot be met by the central machine, every effort should be made in the direction of devolution, and that the difficulties shall be met where they locally arise.  I am sure it is a satisfaction to the House, as it was to me, to find that before the discussion arose yesterday not only had Lord Kitchener realized the difficulties, but that he had taken every step possible to meet them, and that the step which he did take was in the direction, which we all feel is a wise one, of putting the responsibility on those at a distance from the War Office and expecting them to bear it.  Many of us have been asked to take part in helping the recruiting.  When I was asked to join in this I had in my mind the feeling to which I gave expression the other day, that I was not satisfied that too much sacrifice was not being required from those who are going to fight our battles and that a full share of sacrifice was being borne by those who remain behind.  Nothing could be more unfair than that this country should expect all the sacrifice to come from the men who are actually going to risk their lives in our behalf. [Cheers.] We know with what splendid spirit they are coming forward.  I suppose every member of the House could give instances that would surprise us all.  Perhaps it would interest the House if I give one.  The son of a friend of mine, who is well off, had been writing to the War Office, taking every step to try to be accepted in order to fight.  He was a partner in a big business in Glasgow and with splendid prospects; he threw them all up.  He came and hung about the doors of the War Office as if he was seeking some fat job, when all he wanted was to be placed, not as an officer, but as a private, in one of the most dangerous branches of the service. [Cheers.] That is a spirit which is universal.  I do not say in what way further provision should be made, but I am sure the House welcomes the statement of the Prime Minister that the Government are going to reconsider the whole question of separation allowances for the families of the men and for the pensions.  I am sure I am expressing the view not of our own party, but of the whole House, when I say that the country realizes that when these men risk their lives for us they are making a big enough sacrifice, and that the country will be glad that in every way every possible generosity at the expense of those who remain behind should be extended to those who go out to fight. [Cheers.]