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recommendation contained in their Remarks, above referred to, that the whole of the militia and auxiliary troops should be put on a partially paid basis, and they would call attention to their Remarks dated the 5th June, 1888, as to the nature of attack to which Tasmania is liable, and the scale of defence which it should provide. They would also again advocate the drawing up of a Defence Scheme for the Colony which would help to make clear its defence requirements and the manner in which they could best be met. It is to the fact that this action has been taken in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia that the great advance they have of late made in defence matters may be largely attributed. This advance is as marked in these Colonies as the absence of it is in Tasmania.
4. The one redeeming feature of the Report before the Committee is the fact that it records the fine physique and excellent conduct of the men now serving. There is no doubt that with the good material available, a comparatively small effort would suffice to make the Colony reasonably secure against the restricted form of attack to which it would be liable in war. At present it seems likely that a couple of hostile cruisers that had succeeded in reaching Tasmanian shores could effect very serious injury to Hobart with comparatively little danger to themselves.
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
(Signed)
87
February 20, 1898.
088
Approved by Sports
Lynn
trai in
273
14.3.98
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON.—22/2/98.
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