Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. February 5, 1896.
SECRET.
No. 131 R.
Agent-General's No. 7471/95.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
Defence Scheme revised to July 1895.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Defence Committee have received from the Agent- General to the Colony, printed corrigenda to the Defence Scheme of September 1894, prepared by Order of the Local Defence Committee, in accordance with the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee, contained in paras. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 13 of their Remarks dated 28th February, 1895.
The corrigenda are practically confined to verbal alterations, and they do not deal with the larger questions referred to in paras. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the Committee's Remarks. They are, however, accompanied by a Minute of the Military Commandant, wherein he refers to a previous Minute, dated the 26th July, 1895, submitted to the Government of New South Wales, in which it is understood that these questions are dealt with. It would be convenient if this previous Minute, which has hitherto not officially been communicated to the Colonial Defence Committee, could now be placed before them, with the views of the New South Wales Government upon it.
The Committee take this opportunity of pointing out that they can more satisfactorily assist the Governments of Australia in dealing with questions of defence, if all general reports and important proposals of the Military and Naval Commandants are submitted to them as soon as possible after being considered by the Governments. The Committee completely recognize that, for financial or other reasons, possibly of a confidential nature, and of a political rather than of a military character, it may often not be practicable to give effect to the recommendations that are made. They think, however, that they would be in a better position to follow and advise upon the general military policy of the Colonies, if the recommendations were always communicated to them, accompanied, if necessary, by the confi- dential opinions of the Governments and Governors thereon.
(Signed)
January 31, 1896.
[167] Page 361 of 425
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.- 5/2/96.
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