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The Colonial Defence Committee, in their remarks dated the 21st November, 1895, on the Report of 1894 Sydney Military Conference, urged the formation of an effective reserve force in each Colony by registering the names of men who passed through the active forces, and keeping a hold over them by means of a retaining fee carrying the obligation of certain periodical drills.
The Committee have insufficient information concerning the constitution and training of the Rifle Clubs to enable them to determine how far the members of these Clubs can be looked upon as satisfactorily fulfilling the conditions required of troops that will be engaged in field operations. They are, however, inclined to consider that the members of the Rifle Clubs would be more suitably employed as volunteers at the defended ports, and that the cadres of the field force should be brought up to strength in the manner indicated in the last paragraph.
11. The Colonial Defence Committee note from the Table of Establish- ments appended to the Commandant's Report that fifty-nine officers are required on mobilization in addition to the peace establishment.
They consider that steps should be taken to form a reserve of competent officers who can be relied upon to be available in time of emergency, if this has not already been done.
12. The questions brought forward by the Commandant as to placing the Public School Cadet Force under the supervision and direction of the Military Department, and as to a Retirement Scheme for officers, are not such as the Colonial Defence Committee can usefully advise upon. The Government of New South Wales will doubtless deal with them in such a way as best to promote the military efficiency of their forces without sacrificing the general interests of the Colony.
March 10, 1896.
(Signed)
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON,--11/3/96.
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