Page 71
arrangements of these officers should be made solely on the basis of existing resources, except where reinforcements are distinctly promised. The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the Reports of the Senior Medical Officer and of the Senior Ordnance Store Officer should be amplified so as to specify in detail the steps which they respectively propose to take if war were immediately declared.
The Report of the Senior Commissariat Officer contains much useful information and has been very carefully drawn up; but its value is somewhat impaired by a want of more definite data. In addition to the labour of supplying the force, a large amount of horse-power would be required in getting the guns into position and in transporting the great amount of matériel to the selected positions. It should be clearly understood that the scheme of defence put forward by the General Officer Commanding is the approved scheme.
The proposed scheme of telegraph communication could not be carried out without reinforcements from England, and should be revised so as to fall within the possibilities of existing resources. As regards intelligence and outpost work, fuller consideration appears to be required.
The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that these remarks should be forwarded to the General Officer Commanding with a view to the revision of the scheme, and they desire to point out in conclusion that what is required is a definite plan of action based on existing resources, approved by the General, and capable of being put into force at any moment. Such deficiencies as this plan may bring to light should be separately set forth.
April 5, 1889.
(Signed)
G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
Page 71
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.--8/4/89.
Page 71
25