t
Page 72
It is undoubtedly desirable to decentralize the stores as much as possible, provided that the personnel at the disposal of the General is sufficient for their proper custody when distributed among the various forts. The Com- mittee are informed that this subject is now under consideration of the War Office.
The following observations arise in connection with scales of equip-
ment:-
Kettles, camp. It is understood that fresh vegetables will be available ; one kettle per eight N.C.Os. and men should therefore be provided.
Sheets, ground. The proportion should be at the rate of eight per circular tent for N.C.Os. and men-not one per man.
13. Page 61, Table J (i).-This Table appears superfluous as all the information it contains is given also in Table J (i) on page 57.
14. Page 62, Table J (iv).-The remarks in paragraph 13 above, with regard to camp kettles and ground sheets, apply also to this Table. The reason for issue of two saddle covers per field battery is not apparent.
15. Map.--The Colonial Defence Committee hope that it will be possible to illustrate the next revision of the Malta Defence Scheme by a copy of the map of the island now under preparation, which will be oriented in the usual manner. The new roads which have recently been constructed should be enfaced on this map. This was not done on the map accompanying the present revision.
place.
3
The Wied Znuber need scarcely now be shown as a possible landing
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
(Signed)
June 3, 1897.
Page 72
45
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W, HARRISON,--
-9/6/97.
Page 72
Page 73(This) Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government 13 of 290
Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. June 29, 1897.
SECRET.
No. 163 R.
QUEENSLAND.
QUEENSLAND.
C.O.
No. 705. Secret.
Defence Scheme revised to January 1897.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
Covering Despatch of Governor.
THIS revision of the Defence Scheme is accompanied by a despatch from the Governor, dated the 23rd February, 1897, printed as an Appendix to these Remarks, in which he explains the action that has been taken towards giving effect to the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Com- mittee, contained in their Remarks (No. 132 R) dated the 3rd February, 1896, on the Queensland Defence Scheme, revised to November 1895, and in those (No. 149 R), dated the 6th November, 1896, on the Report by the Commandant on the Military Forces of the Colony for the year 1895-96.
The Committee note with much satisfaction the serious efforts that are being made by the Colony to bring its defences and defence forces into a thorough state of efficiency, and without recommending any sudden and large expenditure, which they hold to be unnecessary, they trust that the present efforts will be sustained, and that the defects which still exist will gradually be removed as funds become available and opportunities occur.
The interest, shown by his letter, to be taken by the Governor in the defence arrangements of the Colony will be of great assistance in the perfecting of these arrangements.
2. Paragraph 3 (1).--The statement contained in this sub-paragraph, to the effect that 5,000 meu is the present strength of the defence forces of the Colony in time of peace, does not correspond with the information given on p. 7 of the Scheme in the paragraph preceding Table (A), and in that Table, where the present total strength of regulars, militia, and volunteers is shown as 2,637. When, however, this strength has been brought up to the authorized establishment of 3,581 it will form, with the addition of about 500 police trained in military drill, and of 1,000 members of rifle clubs in uniform, and organized as infantry, a defence force of 5,000 men.
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that if Queensland has 5,000 trained men that can absolutely be relied on to be available in time of war
[586]
B