PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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The establishment of these forces forms an essential part of the plans for the defence of the Empire, and, in the opinion of their Lordships, the successful development of these valuable auxiliaries will be promoted by entrusting to officers of the Royal Navy a share in their organisation and command.
4. If suitable officers are employed, it may be expected not only that the organisation will be successful, but that the officers will exercise a salutary influence in inducing the Colonial Administration to provide funds for efficient armaments, and in insuring identical patterns being introduced and used; also that they will secure the establishment of cordial and harmonious relations between officers and men of the Colonial services and those of the Royal Navy, and in an important degree relieve the navy and Imperial funds of the provision for the defence of the Colonies which would otherwise be
necessary.
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5. Colonial service is not popular with officers, who naturally prefer to be employed in the Imperial service, where opportunities of gaining distinction and earning their promotion are more frequent. Colonial service, as a rule, means to them separation from their friends for long periods, increased expenses and much responsibility, against which a moderate excess of the Colonial over the Imperial pay is the only set-off.
6. But as the satisfactory fulfilment of the duties these officers have to perform presents many difficulties, it is important that the Colonial navies should secure the services of officers of high professional character and attainments.
7. It is also very desirable that officers on the active list should be employed, for, on the one hand, there is the advantage to the Colonies that they are more conversant than tired officers can be with the latest development of naval warfare, and, on the other, owing to the impossibility of employing all officers at the same time in the Imperial Navy, it is a distinct advantage that some should avail themselves of such opportunities of keeping up and adding to their professional knowledge and experience.
8. My Lords fear that these results will be seriously prejudiced if the view expressed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury in the letter under reply is maintained, for, in their opinion, the disinclination of officers to accept Colonial service will be sensibly increased."
9. My Lords, morcover, are satisfied, from the communications they have had with the Agents-General of the Australian Colonies, that this question, although apparently a trifling one, will, if determined as the Lords of the Treasury are disposed to decide it, have an injurious effect upon the spirit with which the Colonial administrators are now acting. It will be regarded as a parsimonious act on the part of the mother country and the increased charge which may be incurred by the Colonics in consequence may even induce them to look outside the naval service of their country for the assistance they require.
10. My Lords trust that their Lordships of the Treasury, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, will concur in the view that financial considerations should not be allowed to govern a decision which might hinder the employment of officers of the Royal Navy in this important service, and discourage the Colonies in the patriotic exertions they are now making to provide for their own defence. I am therefore to request you to move their Lordships to reconsider their decision, and permit officers in naval employment in the Colonies both to draw half-pay (under Order in Council of 1877) and to count time under sec. v. (9) of the Order in Council of 22nd February 1870.
I am, &c., (Signed),
The Secretary,
Her Majesty's Treasury.
Enclosure 7 in No. 4.
SIR,
WITH reference to Treasury Minute of the 25th September last, No. 3146,
Admiralty, October 28, 1885. relative to the issue of non-effective pay to naval or military officers who accept civil employment under the Crown, or are employed by Colonial Governments, a copy of which Minute, together with Treasury letter of the 26th September 1885, it is under- stood has been forwarded to your department by the Treasury; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War, that they are prepared to acquiesce in the rules on this subject proposed by the Treasury, unless Mr. Secretary Smith sees good reason to the
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contrary; but that they propose to keep the power, or acquire it where necessary, of refusing to allow the receipt of half or retired pay.
2. My Lords also desire me to add, for the information of Mr. Secretary Smith, that they consider it will be necessary to provide that the proposed arrangements shall apply to the future only.
&c.,
EVAN MACGRegob.
The Under Secretary of State for War,
&c.
&c.
&c.
SIR,
No. 5.
I am,
(Signed)
-
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE and ADMIRALTY.
REFERRING to the letter from this Department of the 29th of January 1886,*
Downing Street, February 4, 1886.
I am directed by Colonel Stanley to transmit to you, to be laid before the
Secretary of State for War
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty & copy of the report of the Committee appointed to consider the conditions upon which naval and military officers should be allowed to take service under Colonial Governments.
Colonel Stanley is prepared to accept the recommendations of the Committee, and upon learning that the Secretary of State for War has
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have also approved of them, he will without loss of time transmit the report for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.
It is understood that all the documents mentioned in this report are already in the possession of your Department [‡except the Admiralty letter of 25th June 1885,§ of which I am to enclose a copy].
The Under Secretary of State for War, The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
No. 6.
I am, &c.. (Signed)
JOHN BRAMSTON.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
SIR, -
In reply to your letter of 4th instant,|| stating that the Secretary of State for the
Admiralty, February 5, 1886. Colonies is prepared to accept the recommendations of the Committee appointed to consider the conditions upon which naval and military officers should be allowed to take service under Colonial Governments, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State that they have already had these recommendations under consideration, and have approved of their being carried out with regard to naval officers upon the requisite sanction of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury being communicated to this Department.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
• No. 3. Enclosure 6 in No. 4.
↑ No. 4.
C 3
I
am, &c.,
(Signed)
EVAN MACGREGOR.
To War Office only. No. 5.