The Indian Medical Service

formerly. The question of free passages is still under discussion. It affects the whole army and other Indian services?not the I. M. S. alone. The Secretary of State has promised that the military side of the I. M. S. will be treated exactly as combatant officers; and those in civil employ will receive the same concessions, if any, as other officers in civil employ. Taking ail things into consideration we are of opinion that the conditions of service in the I. M. S., whatever they may be in the future, are at present more favourable than at any time in the history of the Service. If we may proffer advice, we would suggest, firstly, that the outstanding question of passages be decided with the least possible delay. We feel sure that a concession in this direction would do much to stimulate recruiting. Secondly, that arrears of pay under the new rules may be disbursed with greater promptitude than in the past. Complaints on' this score have reached us, and we feel sure that the matter only needs mentioning to ensure prompt consideration. Finally, we must give it as our considered