༄། ། ། །
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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C.O.
8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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the object of furnishing a basis for the discussion which will take place. We have for some time here inclined to the view that, in proportion to our identifying ourselves, for the purpose of securing perfect naval defence, with the Imperial Government, we shail secure a more efficicut service and a more perfect administration than we ourselves could establish by any independent course of action in the Colony. More than 12 months ago it was determined by the Government then in existence to ascertain whether proposals for availing ourselves of Imperial assistance, by procuring and maintaining two or more ships of war, to be equipped and manned by the Imperial Governinent at our own cost, would be favourably entertained. It was ascertained that any practicable proposals of this kind would be received and examined with favourable consideration by the Imperial Government. The result of much consideration on the question by that Government was a recommendation to the following effect:-That two vessels of war, the type and design of which were to be determined conjointly by the Admiralty and the Government of the Colony, were to be built and equipped by the Admiralty, that the armament was to be approved by the Government, and that the entire expense of building, equipping, arming, and maintaining was to be borne by the Colony. It was further considered that the arrangement with the Admiralty in connexion with this service should extend over a period of from ten (10) to fifteen (15) years, the ships being equipped, officered, and inanned by the Admiralty. The crews were to be secured in the same advantages as to rank, periods of service and promotion, as if those crews were serving in Her Majesty's ships in commission. The entire cost of personnel was to be borne by the Colony, including actual and deferred pay. The control of the ships was to be in the hands of the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the station. There was a further proposal that in time of war the vessels were to be employed within Australian waters, and not to be moved outside the waters of the Colony without the sanction of the Government of the Colony. And it was to be distinctly understood that the force provided for in this way should be in addition to that provided by the Imperial Government for our defence in the annual vote for Her Majesty's Navy. There was then a recommendation of the class of vessels which it was deemed most desirable to procure for this service. I have thought it well to refer to this matter with the view of considering the acceptableness of such proposals in this country. While regarding with approval many of the matters to which I have adverted, and while impressed with the conviction that they would be generally found agreeable to our Legislature, I anı personally more disposed towards the adoption of a different scheme. It will be perceived that the scheme to which I have referred was an individual one for this country, as no interchange of opinions had then taken place between the various Colonial Governments on the subject. I am much more disposed myself towards a general arrangement between the leading Australasian Colonies and the Imperial Government; and I may say, on behalf of the Government of this country, that we are quite prepared to do all in our power to bring about a co-operation, not only between ourselves and the Imperial Government, but between ourselves and the other Australasian Colonies. shall very briefly put before this meeting my proposal. It is based, first of all, on the very valuable paper which the Admiral has furnished to the various Australasian Governments, dated at Auckland the 24th December of last year; and secondly, on a very grave consideration of the question in Cabinet, I shall be prepared to subunit for the approval of Parliament the following scheme :—
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"1. That a sufficient naval defence force be raised and equipped and manned by the Imperial Government for the defence of Australasia.
"2. That the cost of the equipment and maintenance of this force shall be borne by the Australasian Colonies in proportion to their population.
"3. That this force shall generally be retained within Australasian waters.
"4. That the arrangement for this force shall be for a period of ten (10) years, and that, if it is contemplated to abandon or alter the arrangement at the expiration of that period, notice of such abandonment or alteration shall be given at the termination of the seventh year of such arrangement, so that three (3) years" notice may be afforded to the Admiralty of such intention.
"5. That the liability of each Colony towards this expenditure shall be estimated on the basis of population.
"6. That the Imperial Government shall build and furnish the vessels, the Colonies providing a fund to recoup the expenditure of construction and allowance for depreciation, (say) five per cent. on capital account, and paying the total annual cost of maintenance, salaries, and deferred pay.
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"7. That the ships are to be equipped, officered, and manned by the Admiralty, and the officers and crews to be secured the same advantages as to rank, time of service, and promotion as if they were serving in Her Majesty's ships in commission.
8. That this force shall be absolutely in addition to that provided by the Imperial Government as to Australasian defence in the annual vote for Her Majesty's Navy.
"9. That the recommendations of the Admiral, contained in his circular dated 24th December 1885, as to the number of vessels, their tonnage, displacement, rate of speed and armament, be adopted. According to that memorandum the Colonies would have to provide for the construction of the class of ships known as Archers' a sum of 526,1504; for the torpedo vessels, 106,6007; making a total in all of 632,750.; and they would have to pay for the maintenance, provisions, wages, &c., cost of coal and stores. 142,653/. per annum. This, irrespective of charges on account of docking and incidental expenses, which it is understood would not be considerable, is, as far as the means at our disposal will permit, a carefully prepared estimate of expenditure.
10. I shall not go into a consideration of the class of vessels suggested by his Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and which have been quite recently, as a valuable means of defence, adopted on the part of the Imperial Government. This adoption has taken place, partly from the necessity of protecting the Imperial Government herself, and, secondly from the obligation of the Empire to protect her Colonies. It seems to me that any distribution of any of her forces is a sign of weakness, and she will best preserve her supremacy by being enabled, as far as possible, to concentrate for purposes of defence her whole powers upon a single point, which might be far outside the waters of Australasia.
11. Under all these circumstances, I venture to suggest to the meeting the proposal that we should endeavour to confine our consideration of these questions within the limits which I have endeavoured to lay down.
"12. I wish it to be distinctly understood that, if it is found impossible or undesirable to agree in the main with the proposals of the Imperial Government and this country, we shall be happy, as far as is possible, to communicate and to co-operate with those wh are as deeply interested in the settlement of this question as we ourselves.
"13. I have thought it necessary to make these observations with the view of showing as generally as possible what I think might be received with favour on the part of the people of this country; and with the further object of eliciting that discussion which I trust will eventuate in a general agreement on the part of the leading Australasian Colonies as to the means of Imperial naval defence."
3. I shall now very briefly submit to his Excellency the proposal which, after much discussion and previous consultation with my colleagues, I feel myself justified in transmitting through his Excellency to the Imperial Government as to the course of action which I shall be prepared to submit for the approval of Parliament in connexion with this matter. Of course the submission of the proposal to Parliament will depend upon how that proposal is received by the Imperial Government; for until its determination is conveyed to his Excellency it will be impossible to ask the assent of Parliament to a scheme which might or might not be sanctioned by the Imperial authorities.
4. On all grounds it was conceived that the equipment and manning of the defence force should be undertaken by the Imperial Government, and the entire cost of the equipment and annual maintenance of the force should be borne by the Australasian Colonies in proportion to their population.
5. It was also determined that it would be inexpedient for the Colonies themselves to purchase and pay for the vessels to be employed in the defence, and that the more desirable course to pursue would be that the Imperial Government should provide the necessary vessels, and that the Colonies should undertake to pay an annual contribution which would cover interest on the cost of the vessels provided, and a sufficient allowance for depreciation--not to exceed altogether (say) 5 per cent. on capital account. This, I may point out, was a suggestion made by the Government of this country, and was the subject of much discussion.
6. I am not in a position to inform his Excellency that the view of this Government, as far as this particular portion of the matter is concerned, will be definitely adopted by the other Colonies; but I think that on this subject there will be no difficulty in substantial agreement, though the form of the contribution may be different from that suggested.
7. It will be seen, therefore, that this arrangement would cast upon the Colonies the responsibility of providing for the entire annual cost of maintenance, salaries, and deferred pay.
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