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The Colonial Defence Committee desire to invite the attention of the Joint Naval and Military Committee to this point in connection with our more distant ports abroad, as they conceive it to be quite practicable to lay down general principles which would indicate that, though immediate mobilization is essential to an effective state of defence, the protection derived from the examination and exclusion of vessels may be considered as a second phase of defence, dependent upon the enemy's vessels being in the particular waters, and that in the same way the use of submarine mines should not be resorted to unless there is a reasonable prospect of attack. At the least it should be understood that neither of these two phases of the mobilization of the defences should be set in operation without naval approval. It may be assumed that the Naval Commander- in-chief on the station would be kept fully advised by cable of the march of naval events in European and Atlantic waters.
PORT JACKSON.
Examination Anchorage.-It is learned from the Defence Scheme that the examination anchorage has been fixed north-east of Inner Middle Head, in the vicinity of the quarantine station at Manly, where are to be the head-quarters of the local naval officer, who, under the orders of the Port Jackson District Commandant, with whom he is in communication, is responsible for the control of the sea traffic. The position seems most suitable, but it is gathered from the Amended Rules, Appendices (C) and (D), pp. 9, 10, that no vessel of whatsoever description is to be allowed to pass the line between Outer North Head and Outer South Head without the consent of the proper authorities, and also that no ship, except our men-of-war employed on the Australian Station, or local vessel specially exempted, is to be allowed to enter the port, as defined by the above line, between sunset and sunrise. This rather defeats the object of the examination anchorage, which is to provide a position outside the main defence of the port, sheltered from weather, and protected by the shore guns, to which incoming ships may proceed until their character is satisfactorily ascertained. All incoming ships not unmistakably enemies should be allowed to proceed at all times direct to the examination anchorage without restriction, and at such a large commercial port as Port Jackson every facility should be given for passing them as rapidly as possible, both by night as well as by day, from the anchorage through the main defences of the port, so as to prevent any accumulation of vessels in the anchorage, get them quickly into perfect safety in the harbour, and interfere as little as may be with commercial interests. As far as our own war-ships are concerned, they must be exempted from all restrictions likely to cause delay. În their case, all that is necessary is for them to show the secret or prearranged signal, which should be answered at once.
With regard to the last paragraph of these two Appendices, a penalty in the shape of a fine for violation of the Regulations is much to be deprecated. In war-time such an inducement to obedience is scarcely needed; while to fine our own ships would be discouraging to trade, and to fine a foreigner would in all probability lead to complications.
In paragraph 7 of Appendix (C), p. 10, it should be stated definitely where the affirmative signal will be shown.
In revising these Regulations it would be well to avoid the use of the term "patrol" boat, which is apt to be misleading. The term "examination steamer" is that now generally adopted for the search-vessels employed in connection with examination anchorages. Their duty is to meet incoming vessels, conduct them to the examination anchorage, ascertain their character, and finally arrange for their being passed through the defences.
Nothing is said of the staff who, under the naval officer at Manly, will have to carry out the duties of overhauling, searching, and piloting; nor are any details given of the system of signals which will be necessary in connection with these duties. The latter is a subject calling for very careful consideration.
Mine-field. No alterations are required. If it is possible for boats to creep round the end of the mine-field under the cliffs unseen by the mine-field battery, the proposed boat-mines seem desirable, but of this the local authorities are the best judges. It is observed that the friendly channel is not shown on the chart. Presumably it is of sufficient width, and coincides, as it should, with the fairway channel. The probable time it would take to lay the mine-field should have been given.
Obstruction.—The Colonial Defence Committee fully concur in the conclusion con-
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