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This recommendation was concurred in in paragraph 2 of the pro- ceedings of the Local Joint Naval and Military Committee of June, 1895. It is considered a preferable arrangement to that proposed in the present Revision of the Defence Scheme, and the Colonial Defence Committee suggest that the attention of the Colonial Government he called to the advisability of making early provision for the necessary funds for carrying it out.
14. Page 35, paragraph 2.-With regard to the reference in this paragraph to the uniform or badges necessary to secure combatant rights for the com- pany of marksmen proposed to be raised from rifle associations, attention is called to the Colonial Defence Committee's Memorandum 71 M, dated the 20th July, 1896, on Uniform to secure Belligerent Rights.
15. Page 36, paragraph 6.—It is not clear what is intended by placing the railway from Durban to the Point under military control, and it is thought that the general arrangement described in the second paragraph under the heading "Transport on p. 19 of the Scheme should suffice for ensuring this line as well as others in the Colony being available to the fullest extent for services in connection with the defence.
16. Page 37, Proclamation, line 4.-The Colonial Defence Committee suggest that after the words "bombardment will be accepted," there should be added, "If attempted it will give our forts a good chance of destroying the enemy, while, with the means at his disposal, it is unlikely that he will be able to produce any very damaging effect on the town."
(Signed)
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
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April 23, 1897.
Colonial Defence Committee.
FRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J, W. HARRISON.—26/4/97,
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Page[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Goverdagatop of 290
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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. May 25, 1897.
30
SECRET.
No. 161 R.
VICTORIA.
VICTORIA.
C.O.
No. 843. Secret.
Defence Scheme revised to 1896.
Vid
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
IN paragraph 10 of the Remarks (No. 148 R), dated the 6th November, 1896, on the Report of the Council of Defence, 1896, the Colonial Defence Committee pointed out the advisability of a complete revision, on lines that they indicated, of the Defence Scheme for Victoria. They now find that their suggestion had been anticipated, and that Victoria has in this respect placed herself on a level with other parts of the Empire having vast interests to guard, and recognizing the duty and advantage of participating in a general Scheme of Defence.
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the Scheme now before them reflects great credit on the naval and military authorities of the Colony who have drawn it up, and if they propose to criticize it at some length it is because its completeness enables them to do so with advantage, and because they desire that Victoria should profit by the experience gained in working out similar schemes in other parts of the Empire, especially in the important subject of artillery command. Their Remarks will be conveniently grouped under the headings given to the Chapters of the Scheme before thein.
Chapter I.-Strategic and General Considerations.
2. Pages 1 and 2.-The strategic considerations are clearly and concisely stated, but with regard to the duties of the Victorian Forces detailed in paragraph 5 of this Chapter attention is called to the following paragraph of a Memorandum of the Colonial Defence Committee on a "Proposed Organiza- tion of the Military Forces of the Australasian Colonies,” dated the 16th May, 1890:-
66
Finally, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to point out that the rôle which the Australian Colonies will probably play in war is not likely to be limited to the passive defence of ports little liable to attack. These Colonies will doubtless desire that solid guarantees for future security should be taken, and it is evidently essential to success in this sense that their land forces should be organized on a common basis, so as to be capable of being brought together for concerted action. The possibility of being able to take a vigorous offensive at the outset of war against points which might subsequently prove menacing would be a strategic advantage of the first importance."
[468]
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