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Colonial Defence Committee.

Naval defence

Points for

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36. While comparatively few of the many commercial ports of the Empire can be defended on a permanent and considerable scale, a moderate local defence for exposed towns can nevertheless he provided in some cases at a small cost. A port which can offer no defence, even against a boat's crew, is at the mercy of any unarmoured ship or armed merchant vessel, which, in default of any possible resistance, would be able to impose requisitions of money, stores, or valuable goods of any kind.

An unarmoured vessel can, however, be fought by field guns mounted in temporary batteries; mines of simple form can be easily laid down; and a small trained force on shore, especially if roughly intrenched, would be able to defeat any landing party which a single ship would be likely to risk in a venture by which no military advantage could be gained. The number of ironclads available for an enemy's offensive operations is limited, and their movements would be watched and defeated as far as possible by Her Majesty's Navy. Hence, in many cases, it is mere depredations by single unarmoured ships of war or armed merchant vessels which have to be feared. Small and inexpensive measures of local defence would be able to render such depredations difficult, if not impossible, and the security thus obtained would sufficiently justify the moderate expenditure involved.

37. In 1885 the present Colonial Defence Committee was appointed in order to facilitate the carrying out of measures involving the action of several departments. This Committee has since made recommendations on a variety of subjects laid before it, as will be seen from the printed papers which I propose to place in your hands. Among the measures carried out by the Colonial Defence Committee, I may mention the creation of a convenient and permanent record of Colonial defences, and the preparation of local schemes of defence.

38. Turning then to naval defence. In the first place, as I have already stated, the trade carried on in merchant vessels must rely for security upon such general protection as the navy may be able to afford.

39. The possibility of reinforcing the navy with fast merchant steamships, of which, owing to the late remarkable progress in shipbuilding, there is now a considerable number, built and owned in the United Kingdom, must not be lost sight of. These vessels compare favourably with ships of war in point of speed, and far surpass them in coal-carrying capacity. Their speed will secure them from pursuit, and their com- parative independence of coaling stations will enable them to traverse great distances and keep the sea for long periods of time. Although incapable of meeting an enemy's regular cruisers they would be effective against ships of a like nature employed against our commerce, and would be invaluable as look-out ships, as a means for conveying communications between the Colonies and the United Kingdom, or carrying instructions to ships on distant stations, especially in the event of communication by telegraph being suspended. It is very desirable to encourage the owners of these ships to comply with such regulations as the Admiralty may lay down as to construction and otherwise, so as to enable them to receive moderate armaments, and armaments suitable for them should be provided and stored in different ports.

40. This matter has received very full consideration, and the Admiralty can now count on many of the fastest steamships in the world, which, with armaments ready prepared, will be able to reinforce the navy on the outbreak of war.

41. The desirability of strengthening the fleet in Australian waters by the addition of a local force has been discussed in detail by Admiral Tryon, acting in concert with the Premiers of the self-governing Australian Colonies. Papers containing the latest proposals of Her Majesty's Government will be submitted to the Conference.

42. To sum up this head: Among the subjects directly or indirectly connected with discussion on defence which it appears desirable that the Conference should discuss are:-

(1.) The local defence of ports other than Imperial coaling stations. Among the latter the most important are Thursday Island and King George's Sound, respecting which papers will be laid before you, and I do not doubt the Con- ference will agree with me in the opinion that a decision should be arrived at in regard to this important question.

defence.

(2.) The naval defence of the Australian Colonies. This question has been discussed at much length by Admiral Tryon, and papers will be laid before the Conference showing the present position of the matter.

(3.) Measures of precaution in relation to the defences of Colonial ports.

(4.) Various questions arise in connection with the military aspects of telegraph cables, their necessity for purposes of war, and their protection. On these matters the delegates may wish to offer their opinion.

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(5.) Questions relating to the employment and training of local or native troops to

serve as garrisons of works of defence may fitly be considered.

(6.) Finally, the delegates will be able to state their views as to the defences with which they are concerned, and to obtain recent information with regard to military progress and the opinions now generally held.

43. I will only add, in the words of Mr. Stanhope, that it is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government in calling this Conference, "to commit either the Imperial "Government or any Colony to new projects entailing heavy expenditure, but rather "to secure that the sms which may be devoted to this purpose may be utilized to the "fullest extent, with complete knowledge of all the conditions of the problem."

44. The next subject marked out for consideration is the promotion of commercial Postal and and social relations by the development of our postal and telegraphic communication, telegraphic "It is a subject," and here again I quote from my predecessor in office," the conditions come "of which are constantly changing, new requirements come into existence, and new

projects are formulated every year."

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15. It is obviously desirable that the question of Imperial intercommunication should be considered as a whole, in order that the needs of every part of the Empire may, as far as practicable, be provided for, and that suggestions may be obtained from all quarters as to the best means of establishing a complete system of communication without that increased expenditure which necessarily results from isolated action.

tion.

Postul

46. I will first refer to the postal schemes which it may be thought desirable to discuss. scheme. 47. There is the question which has been lately brought prominently forward by Scheme for Mr. Henniker Heaton, in a series of letters to the Postmaster-General, which have penny post- appeared in the newspapers, and which will be found in a printed paper, which I will age. cause to be circulated amongst members of the Conference. With these papers will also be found the official answer of the Post Office Department of the 17th March last.

48. While fully admitting the importance of this question, and the interest which it has created a very natural interest, I may observe, as we must all desire, from a social as well as a commercial point of view, to see the postage of letters and papers cheapened -I do not propose to do more now than refer to it in these general terms. Speaking quite generally, I understand Mr. Heaton to contend that by sending letters by sea route all the way, and thus avoiding the expense of land transit through France and Italy, the postage could be substantially reduced, while the delivery of letters would not be materially delayed. I have heard it stated that the Colonial Governments do not feel able to entertain any scheme involving a considerable loss of revenue. If this be

so, the question seems to be narrowed down very much to the point whether any loss,

or what amount of loss, would accrue to the Imperial and Colonial Governments respectively from the adoption of the scheme.

French and

49. Before leaving this head, I may refer the Australasian members of the Conference Reduction of to a letter from the Post Office of March 18th, which will be circulated, bearing upon Italian tran- the question whether any reduction could be effected in the transit charges. Their sit charges, opinion upon that letter is desired, and it is hoped that they will state whether they are in a position to undertake that the proposed reduction will be agreed to by their respective Colonies, so as to enable Her Majesty's Government to complete the negotia- tions with the Italian Government.

50. With respect to telegraphic communication, I would point out in the first place Telegraphs. the extraordinary growth of submarine telegraphy, to which Mr. Pender called my attention in a letter of 28th January.

He there says:-

“Submarine telegraphy is of quite modern growth. Twenty years ago there were about 2,000 miles of cable laid, chiefly in the channel, and some of the earlier submarine cables that were laid were unfortunately so badly constructed, that they were useless for work. I might quote as an instance the old Red Sea cable.

Science has now, however, aided so greatly the manufacture of cables, that they can at the present time be laid with comparatively little risk of breakage and with an almost certainty of efficient repair. These facts account for the rapid growth of the submarine telegraph system, which now embraces 107,000 miles, at a cost of something like thirty-seven millions sterling.

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I may mention as a contrast, and to give an idea of the importance of this system, that the whole length of the land lines now in existence in the world is some 1,750,000 miles, which represent an estimated cost of 52,000,0007.

"The submarin ecable system is, with the cxception of some 7,000 miles, entirely under British control, and has been the result of private enterprise."

I must add that I concur entirely in his observations that, "The value of the sub- marine system as it is now controlled, under British management, it is impossible to B 3