objections
which we must
Expect in some cases
study your
Colonial Military Crown Lands.
185
The question for decision arises out of the report of the Committee on Colonial Military Contribution 3.
*Section 5 Colonial Military Crown Lands* (Copy annexed)
In paragraph 56 the Committee recommended that such properties should be treated as a Capital sum devoted to defensive purposes, and that when disposed of by sale or by transfer to the Civil Government, their realized, or estimated, values should be held by the Colony available for the provision of such other lands or buildings as it might subsequently be necessary to acquire for defence.
In Paragraph 59 the Committee pointed out that if some such rule were not adopted Colonies as sites became obsolete would come into possession of a valuable asset while, when new properties had to be acquired, Imperial Government might have thrown upon it the cost of providing them.
The recommendations of the Committee were accepted by the Colonial Office, and approved by the Government.
The War Office contends that in view of the principle laid down by the Colonial Office that it is the duty of Colonies to provide for their land defence,
The Home
SC