effect.
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In the final Report which they are about to present will be found a recommendation to this Appendix No. 5,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HERBERT JEKYLL.
Appendix No. 6.
CANADA.
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF A CANADIAN CONTINGENT FOR THE IMPERIAL RESERVE.
No. 1. -
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, January 31, 1881.
I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a correspondence which has taken place between the Governor-General of Canada, the War Office, and this Department with reference to the proposed organization of a Canadian contingent for the Imperial reserve.
I am, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
(Confidential.) My Lord,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
The Marquis of Lorne to the Earl of Kimberley.
Government House, Ottawa, May 12, 1880. DURING the recent discussions on the subject of the organization of the Imperial army, the aid which could be given by the Colonies to the Empire having been questioned, and a proposal having been made that the Imperial reserves be strengthened by colonial contingents, I deemed it advisable, in the autumn of 1879, to find out how far any such scheme would meet with the approbation of the Canadian Cabinet. Sir Patrick MacDougall, commanding at Halifax, who was serving upon the Army Organization Committee, and Sir Edward Selby Smyth, who for the last six years has been in command of the Canadian militia, both deemed some such scheme practicable. I accordingly sent the following Memorandum to the Privy Council :-
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· Confidential Memorandum to Privy Council.
"Government House, Ottawa, October 21, 1879. "The accompanying rough Memorandum, drawn up by Sir Patrick MacDougall, is confidentially submitted for the consideration of the Privy Council, and his Excellency desires to know whether such a scheme is, in their opinion, practicable and worthy of their support.
"It should be observed that it only gives a general idea of proposals which might be submitted to the English Government.
"An embodied reserve in Canada would be of advantage in effecting-
"1. A closer connection between Canada and the mother-country.
"2. The infusion of more military training throughout the country at no fresh expense.
"3. A reserve prepared in time of peace, and therefore efficient in all the branches of its interior economy, instead of a contingent raised suddenly in time of war, when it would proceed on active service with everything in confusion.
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4. The example set by Canada as the greatest Colony of the Empire, and which, on her initiative, could be followed by other Colonies.
"5. The moral effect that would be established throughout the civilized world at the spectacle of England and her Colonies united as one great Empire for mutual defence.
"By command,
(Signed)
"F. DE WINTON, R.A.,
‹ Governor-General's Secretary,”
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BERMUDA TELEGRAPH.
Appendix No. 6.
CANADA.
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