White Feathers and 'Bringing Money'

[walrus]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I asked this question, slightly earlier but in the wrong section and to a deafening silence.

The question was inspired by the story of a VC winner being presented with a white feather.

In the Victorian period (and earlier), recruiters paid 'bringing money' to any person introducing a recruit.

Does anyone know when this practice ended and, if late enough, could this have had any influence on the practice of presenting white feathers during the Great War?

Perhaps I am being overly cynical here, but if there is a means of making money, there is never a shortage of people trying to exploit it (and if it can be done behind a mask of 'patriotism'...).

Just an idle thought

Tom t W