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immediately, the second to be assembled at certain depôts where they will be quartered, trained, and clothed, before being drafted to the different units.
There do not appear to be any compulsory powers to make men join either contingent. The second will obviously not be fit to take the field for a considerable time after enrolment. The value of the first will depend on how completely the men may have been trained during their service. At a time like the present, coming after several years, when, owing to financial reasons, training appears to have been incomplete, their value will not be very great. It is also not apparent from the Annual Reports of the Military Commandant how many men have left the corps during the last two years, and would be likely to rejoin when required.
All this points to the increased necessity with reduced establishments of having a proper reserve. In 1889 there was a nominal force of this nature of 1,681 men, but as it appears to have had no real existence, the principle of a reserve was abandoned by the late Military Commandant and the Militia Establishment correspondingly increased on his recommendation. Now the establishment has been reduced, and the means proposed for increasing it on mobilization arc of doubtful efficacy.
The Colonial Defence Committee recognize that at the present time it would be hardly possible for the Victorian Government to provide a grant of
money for the formation of a reserve, but this is no reason why certain necessary preliminary steps should not be taken in the matter. Such steps would be the preparation of careful returns of all men passing through the Victorian Permanent and Militia Forces, the compulsory registration of their addresses and changes of address, and the organization of arrangements by which they can be promptly called to the colours in time of national emergency.
4. It is scarcely necessary for the Committee to point out that an efficient reserve can only be created from an efficient active force, and that the recent reductions in establishments in pay and in instructional staffs must militate against the forces of Victoria maintaining their former value. These remarks have special application to the Victorian Artillery. The Report under consideration shows that with the small number of men now available, it is difficult to find even the requisite number of gunners for duty at the various forts and for guards; that the new scale of pay has caused much dissatisfaction in all ranks; that the teaching staff has been reduced by two Warrant Officers of the Royal Artillery; that the corps is at the present moment under-officered and in want of an artillery officer up to date in artillery matters. These circumstances are such as to give cause of anxiety for the future of this corps on which the artillery defence of Port Philip must mainly rely.
5. The Committee share the hope of the Military Commandant that it will be found possible to provide for the forces going into camp next Easter. The holding of periodical camps of exercise is essential for the maintenance of the efficiency of the field army.
6. The Colonial Defence Committee will be able to criticize more usefully the next Report of the Military Commandant if it be made some- what fuller as regards the details of the forces and be also more complete in itself. A Table should be given showing the actual strength of each corps on a given date, and the average number above or below establish- ment during the last twelve months. The distribution and state of efficiency of each corps should be stated, also the condition of defences, arms, and equipment, and any changes with respect to these that have been carried out during the year. The number of days training of each unit of militia and volunteers should be reported, and the nature of this training. Any action. taken on recommendations of previous Reports should be stated. It would be convenient also if the recommendations of the Commandant were collected together at the end of his Report.
(Signed)
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
December 20, 1895.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.-23 12/95.
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