Page 109
Artillery.
6
should be excepted, as it appears very necessary that a thoroughly efficient force should be always available for the defence of those places against sudden attack.
16. Page 15, paragraph 73.—The Colonial Defence Committee recommend, for the reasons set forth in paragraph 2 of these Remarks, that an additional battalion of infantry and company of Mounted Infantry should be made available for the defence of Kimberley.
17. Pages 15 and 16, paragraphs 74 to 81.-The Colonial Defence Committee concur in the importance attributed by the Commission to Mounted Rifle Corps, and in the proposals made to add to their efficiency. They are, however, unable to look upon the Mounted Rifle Clubs as they at present exist as adding to the defensive strength of the Colony, except in so far as they may furnish some local protection against native risings. From much of the evidence taken by the Commission it would seem that any attempt to increase the efficiency of the clubs by insisting on the amount of drill which would be necessary to enable their members to take their place in the active defence force of the Colony would result in a falling off in their numbers, while those that remained would, if the clubs did not exist, join the Mounted Rifle companies. From some of the evidence taken by the Cape Commission, and from recent reports from Natal, where a similar system of Rifle Clubs by the side of Volunteer companies exists, the Committee think it possible that the more valuable companies may suffer through the existence of the less useful Clubs. They observe that out of 11,312 men proposed by the Commission for the establishment of the Colonial Forces, 980, or between 8 and 9 per cent., are to be members of nineteen Rifle Clubs for whom practically no military training will be compulsory. They are estimated to cost about 7,000l. a-year, while an equal number of partially paid Mounted Infantry soldiers would involve an expenditure of about 20,000l. a-year. If it is possible to raise the additional Mounted Infantry companies the Colonial Defence Committee would be content if the Mounted Rifle Clubs were given up. There seems, indeed, to be no place for them between the partially paid and trained troops and the Burgher force that can be commandeered for any service required of them, and can be encouraged in rifle shooting by a regulated system of Wapenshaws as proposed in paragraph 193 of the Commission's Report, especially if Wapenshaw Clubs were instituted of men engaging for general service as recommended in paragraph 195. While on this subject, the Committee would point out, with reference to the Report of the Minority on p. 36, that though they agree in principle that the State is not called upon to provide arms for individuals without some guarantee that they will render military service when needed, yet the circumstances of certain districts of the Cape Colony are peculiar, having regard to the large native population on or within their borders, and the Committee are inclined to suggest that in such districts the Colonial Government should provide rifles for the European inhabitants at cost prices, subject to the condi- tions stated in paragraph 194 of the Report.
The Colonial Defence Committee make this suggestion, and that with regard to the abolition of Rifle Clubs in favour of more Mounted Infantry Rifles and a more regulated system of Wapenshaws, with some diffidence, as they recognize that the subject is intimately connected with the political and local conditions of the country, of which their knowledge is necessarily incomplete.
In one instance, the Committee would be inclined to suggest the formation of a Rifle Club, but not a mounted one. At Kimberley, where there is a large white mining population, the members of such a club, if they received some slight instruction in drill, might be able to furnish assistance in resisting a sudden attack on the town It would be better if they joined the partially paid forces, but it might not be possible to induce them to do this.
18. Pages 17 and 18, paragraphs 86 to 92.-The Colonial Defence Committee are unable to entirely concur in the armament and organization proposed by the Commission for the Cape Artillery. Looking to the fact that there are available as movable armament for the defence of the Cape Peninsula 6-9-pr. and 6—2·5-in. R.M.L. guns, to be manned by the Royal Artillery or Cape Garrison Artillery, the Committee think that the Field Artillery requirements of the Peninsula would be sufficiently met by one battery of 6-15-př. B.L. guns, as proposed by General Goodenough. Looking also at Colonel Harris' evidence with regard to the defence of Kimberley, and accepting entirely General Goodenough's opinion, as expressed in the final sentence of his answer to question 5,738, the Committee consider that the Capo
Page 109
Page 109
67
L
}
}
1
3
1
}
>
3
I
t
Ե
3
}
I
f