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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. December 20, 1890.
CONFIDENTIAL.
43 R
QUEENSLAND.
18776.
Further Report of Local Committee.
QUEENSLAND.
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
IN their remarks on the Report of the Local Committee of Queensland the Colonial Defence Committee drew attention to the importance of drawing
up
"a definite scheme of distribution of the available force" and the detailing of a garrison for each work of defence. They further considered that the questions of transport, supply, and relief should be fully worked out, "so that the distribution of the troops might take place smoothly, and with the minimum of disturbance to the civil life of the Colony." Finally, they pointed out the necessity for laying down the system of commands and attaching the responsibility for carrying out particular measures to individuals.
These remarks were forwarded to the Governor of Queensland, and the Local Committee in consequence drew up a further Report, which the Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered. It is pointed out that the only places at which a concentration of troops would at present be necessary are Brisbane and Townsville, and that it is undesirable to move the local forces at Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen, Cairns, and Cooktown, which coast towns must therefore depend for their defence in the first instance upon those local forces. A Table has been drawn up showing the distribution of the troops proposed to be concentrated at Brisbane and Townsville, as well as the point from which each unit would have to move, the nature of the mode of transport, and the estimated time required for the movement. From this Table it appears that the concentration of about 3,000 men at Brisbane and 550 at Townsville could be accomplished in twenty-four hours from the time of assembly of the several units at their respective head-quarters.
So far as it goes, therefore, the further Report of the Local Committee is satisfactory; but the Colonial Defence Committee, while fully concurring with the Governor that it is not desirable "to lay down minute details," strongly urge that the following points should receive consideration. Such considera- tion could not under any circumstances hamper the conduct of the defence, and it appears to be dangerous to postpone it to a time of emergency, when other demands would necessarily be entailed upon the energies of both officers and men.
1. Personnel. The withdrawal of so many men from their civil occupations, which would doubtless give rise to much inconvenience, might probably be unnecessary during a long period of hostilities. It appears to be most desirable, therefore, to consider what permanent strength would be maintained, and how reliefs could be arranged. It seems advisable also to frame an estimate of the time required to assemble the several units at their head- quarters.
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2. Transport.-As pointed out by the Local Committee, there would be no
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