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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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purposes in the direction it was convinced was for the best, from a general point

of view.

few

The force out here at this time is much greater than it was but a very

years back. This testifies to the appreciation of the ever growing importance of the position; but the rapid progress that is being made in all directions is creating demands that require very serious consideration.

That the Colonies have done much themselves, all will admit. We must also bear in mind that the progress made in ship-building and in marine engineering is rapidly bringing Australia closer to Europe in point of time, and the safety due to distance is not what it was 10 years ago, yet the strategic conditions referred to in this paper are not greatly altered.

The importance of the question was so recognised in 1884, that Parliament in London did not wait, but decided to make a very appreciable addition to our naval forces, and the large proportion of that expenditure, as I have shown, is devoted to vessels specially suited for the protection of Colonies and commerce. The country did not wait to talk; it gave a vote, an increase over the estimate for the purpose.

(Confidential.)

"

'E."

G. TRYON.

RESULT OF MEETING of PREMIERS on board Her Majesty's Ship "Nelson," at Sydney, April 26th and 27th, 1886.

(Extract.)

SIR,

"Nelson," at Sydney, May 3, 1886. Be pleased to inform their Lordships that in reply to my invitations the Premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria joined me on board Her Majesty's ship "Nelson" in a discussion on the naval questions that have recently been the subject of much correspondence. But two days were available owing to the pre-arranged long journey about to be undertaken by the Premier of Queensland, and to regretable previous delays; and a part of the time was devoted by the Premiers to New Guinea

matters.

The proceedings opened by my suggesting the table should be considered a round one, so as not to raise the question of anyone presiding. The replies received from the Colonies not represented were read by me, and I also placed certain papers before the meeting, including a memorandum dated 24th April 1886, which I had drawn up, and which in the main contains replies to various points that have been raised from time to time.

I enclose copies of the papers I placed before the meeting.

The opinion expressed by the Governors of New Zealand, of Tasmania, and by the Governor of Western Australia, in favour of paying interest on cost of the proposed vessels found much favour in the eyes of the Premiers of New South Wales and Queensland; though both, I am convinced, were prepared if necessary to pay the cost of construction, still they pointed out that it would be far more acceptable if a sufficient interest on that cost was paid in lieu of the lump sum that would otherwise be called

for.

The Premier of Victoria most unexpectedly, however, persisted, that while the Colonies might consent to pay for maintenance, the Admiralty should pay for the entire cost of the construction, and in spite of every effort on the part of the Premiers of New South Wales and of Queensland, he would not budge from this position.

As it is the Premiers of Queensland and New South Wales concurrence to the proposals was obtained, and they both stated they were prepared to bring before their respective Parliaments the necessary measures to carry the proposals into effect, and to make the question a Government one.

Mr. Gillies informed me that though he had talked over the matter with several of his colleagues, the subject of my circular letter of 24th December 1885, had not been formally considered in Cabinet, but this will now be done and a reply sent to me.

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Mr. Gillies' views were confined to the one point, viz., that the cost ought to be shared by the Admiralty. The others acknowledged the force of the arguments urged aud enlarged on them.

Throughout I maintained that happen what may the Admiralty would protect at sea the British Empire. It would never relax an effort in that task, and whether the position to be defended was near or far from home the task was not less imperative, but it would welcome co-operation, if it was freely given, for the perfection of naval defence in any portion of the world, and especially from Colonies in the Australasian" seas, but the Admiralty could not reasonably be expected to advocate the expenditure of any portion of the sum granted by Parliament in London annually for national defence to be spent in a direction that did not give, in their opinion, the highest results from a wide national point of view. I showed what was done in the defence of outlying ports; the squadrons maintained on different stations through which an enemy must pass if he intended to come to these waters.

As it stands shall send copies of the printed paper enclosed to every Governor and wait the formal note from Queensland and New South Wales and Victoria, which

task. my are promised as a result to our present meeting, and then go on with

I trust their Lordships will approve of the tenor of the memorandum furnished the meeting. I should have sought approval to it if time had admitted, but it did not.

I

On the whole the result of the meeting fully realised my object. It prevented the subject being tabled because there was a difference of opinion as to the way it should be approached.

Queensland and Victoria till now have been much in accord.

Queensland and

New South Wales are now in entire accord, and I entertain hopes that Victoria will not hold aloof.

"F."

I have, &c. (Signed)

G. TRYON,

Rear-Adiniral.

MEMORANDUM by Hon. ADVE DOUGLAS, Premier, Tasmania.—VIEWS on NAVAL

DEFENCES.

Premier's Office, Hobart, March 1, 1886.

Memorandum for his Excellency the Governor.

THE Premier has the honour to return herewith the communication which Rear Admiral Tryon addressed to your Excellency on the 24th December last, in common with the Governors of the other Australasian Colonies, on the subject of the naval defences of these seas.

Your Excellency's advisers have given this important matter their careful consideration. Those portions of the despatch referred to which appear to call for special mention are the sub-sections A., B., C., D., E., F., G., and H. of paragraph 5.

Sub-section A. Minsters concur in Admiral Tryon's suggestion that the local naval

defence force shall remain on the same footing as at present.

may be provided,

B. Ministers are of the opinion that any sea-going vessels that

equipped, or maintained at the cost of the Colonies should be officered and manied by the Admiralty, this being apparently the only satisfactory way of dealing with a Colonial naval force.

C. Ministers consider that any vessels provided at the cost of the Colonies should be

retained within the limits of the Australasian seas.

D. Ministers concur in the terms of this sub-section, that no reduction of Her Majesty's naval forces now on this station shall take place consequent on the addition of any force made at the cost of the Colonies.

E. With reference to the entire cost of the vessels of which the Australasian fleet would It is their be composed being borne by the Colonies, Ministers cannot concur. opinion that the Colonies generally would prefer that the original cost of ships and their equipment should be defrayed by the Imperial Government; that each Colony should pay its fair share, in proportion to population, of the interest on this outlay, together with an amount sufficient to cover a sinking

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