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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

APPENDIX.

THE ORGANIZATION OF COLONIAL TROOPS FOR IMPERIAL SERVICE.

[By Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Althan, C.M.G., Assistant Quartermaster-General at Headquarters.]

tieneral Principles.

PRIOR to the outbreak of the war in South Africa, so far as any general scheme for the defence of the Empire as a whole had been considered, it was assumed that the military responsi- bilities of our great self-governing Colonies were limited to local defence and that the entire burden of furnishing reinforcements to any portion of the Empire in which a hostile attack in force might be directed, as well as of all offensive operations, must fall on the regular army, There may possibly have been some pious hope that in time of need the Colonies might rally to the Mother Country, but no definite arrangements were made, nor were inquiries even on foot, as to whether such aid might be expected, and, if so, in what strength. Indeed, the necessity for it was by no means realized and its reliability was doubted.

2. The experience of the South African war has, however, established two important

facts:-

(a) That the regular army, as organized before the war, was by itself quite inadequate in

strength to the military needs of the Empire,

(4) That the self-governing Colonies are willing and able to assist in making good some part

of the deficiency in military strength which the war has disclosed.

3. The present war has in fact been a valuable illustration of the necessity for organizing the defence of the Empire against far graver contingencies. Unless such preparation is made, the Continuance of the Empire is doubtful, if not improbable, and it is essential to proporation, flat it should be definitely known in peace what forces can be relied on in war,

Success in a great war can only be ensured by à continous policy of careful organization and preparation in penes,

4. For these reasons the definite organization in peace of the assistance which the Colonies would be willing and able to place at the disposal of the Imperial military authorities in war is a vital nutter.

5. Before approaching the solution of this question it is desirable to recapitulate briefly certain general principles :—

J

(4) The main burden of a great struggle between the British Empire and one or more States of European race or descent must be borne by the white subjects of the King.

(4) Military contingents therefore of other than men of European descent need not be consi- dered with regard to this particular problem, although the great value of the Indian army, and the usefulness of the African and other native forces are fully recognized. (e) The white population of all Colonies other than the great self-governing Colonies being very small, their power of contributing substantial aid to the Empire would be insig- nificant and would for practical purposes only suffice for assistance in local self-defence, The problem therefore is narrowed to the consideration only of the case of the self governing Colonies, ¿e, Australia, New Zealant, Canada, and South Africa.

(4) Under the existing conditions of the political constitution of the Empire there is no central authority vested in the Imperial Government, which is empowered to draw up in London and enforce throughout the Empire a definite uniform organization for Imperial servicc.

We can only make suggestions to the self-governing Colonies and rely on the good-will and loyalty of their various Ministries to give effect to our suggestions. In making these suggestions, however, we may well call attention to the self-evilent fact that in a great war the Empire must Stand or fall as a whole, "and that therefore în

assisting the Empire, wherever assistance is needed, the Colonies will but be defending themselves.

́ç.) To secure, however, the willing co-operation of the self-governing Colonies in, establishing a sound military organization for mutual aid, it is necessary to have most careful regard to local conditions and developments. So long as essentials are secured, the greatest local freedom should be given as to details.

(7.) There are only two conditions really essential :——

(i.) That the supreme authority, which is responsible for the "defence of the Empire as a whole, should be able to rely with certainty on Colonial continguts of definite strength being available for defensive or offensive operations in any part of the world, as soon as His Majesty's Navy has acquired such command of the sea as will permit of transmarine movement of troops.

(i.) That these contingents should be efficient both in equipment and training.

d. Having regard, therefore, to these preliminary considerations, it would appear expečlient to state briefly the main features of the existing military organization of each group of the self-governing Colonies, and then to examine how far such organization can be utilized to further the object in view.

Australia.

7. The six Colonies of the Commonwealth of Australia have each a separately organized military force, serving under varying conditions. The whole of these forces were, on federation, placed under the control of the Federal Government, and, as as a headquarter stall has been appointed. the conditions of service will no doubt les assimilated throughout the Commonwealth. Broadly speaking, all six Colonies, except West Australia, have three integories of troops :----

(1.) Pernament Corps.

(2) Partially paid or Militia. (3) Volunteers,

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West Australia has only two, permanent and Volunteers. The following was the existing streng of the furve in each Colony on the 31st December last:—

New South Wales Queensland ... South Australia Western Australia Tasmania Victoria

Total ...

2

Partially Permanent.

Volunteers.

Total.

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3,021

2,880

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0140

9,883

*NE

744

43

2,9832

2,171

, M

27

2012

1,735

2,021

BRO

-

2.142

6,335

1,9:0

17,817

7,18

27,880

All the above forces are recruited by voluntary enlistment, but in the Colonies of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania every male inlmbitant between certain ages is legally liable to com- pulsory military service in the case of invasion or insurrection.

The permiment forces consist mainly of Staff, Artillery, and Engineers. The pay of privates, sappers, and gunners varies from 2x. 3. to 75 per diem.

The partially paid forces are enlisted for a short-term of years, and their course of annual training comprises a varying number of drills (eg, in the case of Victoria, 15 half-days and 21 night drills), a period of from four to eight days in camp, and au antial course of musketry. The system of payment also varies. In Victoria, for instance, privates "completing all the above requirements receive 77. Hts, per ammum. In New South Walös payment is mule at the rate of Ss, for a full day's drill, 4s, for half-day, and 28, for each night drill, with an amual bonus of 17. if 'efficient. In South Australia there is also

ལྟ angund allowance of from 17, to 47. for the men, and B. to 77, 10%, for the officers,

The Volunteers are run unch on the sane lines as those in the United Kingdoms. The Colonial Defence Committee have recommended their abolition and that, with the exception of a mueleus of peninamenat troops, the Australian forces should be rotuposel entirely of partially paid troops.

As each Colony has at present a separate Military Ordinance or Defenev Act, the conditions munder which the various forces are liable to be called out for active service somewhat vary in their terms, but speaking broadly, there is a general liability, “in the event of war or danger of war," to service in any part of Australia.

S. These various forces have been organized for the separate definge of their respective Colonies, and for each Colony a local Scheme of Defence has bear Trown up by the local Dd3