CO885-5 — Page 397

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

།། །

C.O.

8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

The College already gives great promise of being a most valuable and permanently beneficial establishment. The several departments are becoming solidified, instruction is carried on effectively, economy in administration is practised, habits of discipline, regularity, and respect for authority are being acquired by the cadets, and a sound, practical, and scientific education by those who graduate.

The cadets appear to be favourably impressed with the advantages the education is conferring upon them, and of the increased facilities for a useful career it places within their reach; indeed it is apparent that a system by which principles taught are applied in actual practice at the time, must prove of great advantage. The benefit already attained is to be observed in the developinent, both mental and physical, which has taken place, and the case with which the cadets now deal with the technical subjects which at the outset appeared so difficult of attainment. The general tendency has been to enlarge the understanding, to cause them to feel a greater pride in their country, and to look upon it from the broad standpoint of Canadians, whose aspirations are not cir- cumscribed by the limits of a municipality. It paves the way for the acquisition and perpetuation of knowledge in military subjects, and renders possible an organisation which can be made to progress pari passu with ordinary development, without any considerable expenditure of the time or means of the population.

In addition to the advantage to individuals which will result from the education acquired, it cannot fail to be productive of greater advantages to the population at large. The subjects in which instruction is now given are such as to afford ample occupation for the most industrious cadet, and such as to permit a selection, according to inclination, of some voluntary subjects in which he may excel. While in the sense of an institution designed to educate those who may become the leaders and instructors of others, it is a normal school, with which the several military schools are models for the training of officers and non-commissioned officers of each arm of the active militia.

There can be little doubt that an education which combines study, out-door amuse- ment and compulsory exercise in the discharge of every day's duties, will develop both mental and physical qualities, and insure vigour and perseverance. The incentive to study is also strong, for the reason that every cadet who fails to maintain his standing and keep pace with the progress of his class, cannot hope to graduate with credit. The competitive principle for position in the respective classes, is therefore, a marked characteristic of the system pursued, and will doubtless, result in causing those who graduate with credit to become capable and distinctively marked men in any congenial employment or occupation in which they may engage.

In these views the expense of maintenance seems small in proportion to the resulting advantages. Indeed, it will be seen that in consequence of the cadets' contribution of $100 each per annum in aid of the college funds, and of their providing their clothing, and necessaries, the annual cost of the college is not more than would suffice to maintain an embodied company of militia of equal strength as a school for short courses of instruction.

The fact that those who are successful in passing the crucial tests to which cadets have been subjected during each of the four years they have been under instruction, proves that those who have acquired the necessary standing to pass their annual qualifying examination for promotion, and their final for graduation, must possess con- siderable knowledge in those subjects which form the basis and superstructure of the educational course. It would, therefore, seem that the college is fulfilling the purposes for which it was created, and that the scope of its usefulness will become more apparent as the number of graduates increases and they have been absorbed in the pursuits for which their attainments have qualified them.

The work connected with the founding and building up of an institution of this nature is considerable. It is, therefore, creditable that the progress already made has produced such a favourable impression in respect of the value of the course and of the college as a seat of learning. It cannot be doubted that while the vast natural resources of the Dominion are being developed new wants will be constantly arising for men who have been educated in the subjects for which the curriculum provides. The college will, therefore, be enabled to accomplish its design with ease and directness of purpose. Nor is this all, for while everything is growing into shape its results will exert an influence on the future according as time and experience afford opportunities for their development.

We have already seen the advantage which has resulted from placing the militia under Dominion control. It has made it a national service, in contradistinction to one by provinces. It has ensured one system of organisation, training and discipline. It permits the adoption of measures for military education on a basis of efficiency, and the

351

maintenance of such a force as may be considered adequate to the public exigencies. It is also to be noted that though little has been done for the marine militia they are in the pursuit of their callings, extending commerce, developing the fisheries, increasing the public wealth, and adding to the powers for defence. We may, therefore, properly consider the actual burthen now imposed upon the country for militia and defence purposes.

The ordinary militia expenditure at confederation of Ontario and Quebec was at the rate of 35 cents. per capita of the population at that time, notwithstanding the fact that the country had the prestige, without cost, of Imperial troops then stationed in the country, and that the other provinces each maintained a militia establishment, and although the militia expenditures of the Dominion have been reduced, it must be remembered the militia is the only force available for home defence, and that population, property, and responsibilities have increased; also that the elements which assure prosperity and progress have ininistered to the advancement of every public interest in the Dominion. If we compare the census returns of population and public income as between Canada and the United States, it will be found that while our income is relatively larger than theirs, our military expenditures per capita is very much less. Taking the year 1881-82 as a basis, the income of Canada was upwards of 33 millions of dollars, or equal to 87.41 per capita, while the income of the United States was upwards of 360 millions, or equal to $7.02 per capita. The militia expenditure of Canada was only at the rate of 19 cents. per capita, while the expenditure of the United States for army and navy purposes was $1.12 per capita, exclusive of the considerable payments made by individual States for the maintenance of the militia. And as computed with Great Britain, where the income amounted to $12.16 per capita, and the outlay for army and navy purposes to 84.00 per capita, the small expenditure by Canada seems remarkable.

It thus appears that while the area of the Dominion has been widening, military expenditures have been decreasing in a corresponding ratio. This estimate is, of course, exclusive of the cost of the North-West mounted police, which, although a civil organisa- tion, is valuable for internal purposes; but even if this force be included the total, expenditure for Dominion militia and police in 1881-82 did not approximate the rate per capita paid by Ontario and Quebec at confederation (1866-67) for ordinary militia purposes.

The population of the Dominion has not increased as rapidly as the resources of the country would seem to warrant, but development has heen steadily progressing, and has reached a stage from whence it will be accelerated in a greater ratio in the years to come. A spirit of research and adventure is also beginning to be aroused, so that upplied skill is now needed in every department which ministers to the public prosperity.

Few countries that enjoy so many advantages are as favourably situated in respect to expenditures for military purposes. Exercising the utmost freedom in home affairs, our ships carry the flag which is common to every portion of the Empire into every sea, and are entitled to the same protection as is accorded to British ships. It therefore seems a duty to bear some share in those general purposes which affect both our local concerns and those of the Empire at large. Indeed there can be little doubt that freedom enjoyed must be compensated for by an earnest consideration of military requirements, and of appropriations to be made on a basis of permanency for both land and marine services.

The rapidity with which the public income has increased of late indicates a like increase in ordinary development, and although some portions of the country may feel commercial depression at times, the vast area of new land brought into cultivation each year must form a substantial foundation for successful commerce, and a successful commerce will require means of transport, on land, and sea, and inland waters-and those means of transport will contribute very much to the importance and strength of the country.

+

The warning lessons of the times should not be without their effect in this new Dominion, where the sphere of individual and national enterprise is constantly widening, and wealth and population augmenting.

Every part of the country should feel that law and order will be maintained, and property protected at all times. To insure this, the military organisation should be maintained efficiently, quality more than quantity, forms the essential element, and it will be worth much if implicit reliance can be placed on the active force. No one can doubt that the repeated and prompt response to all calls inade upon it since confederation has ensured a belief in the strength of the population. It only now remains to continue the work already commenced, and to see that due provision is made to promote the educa- tion of officers and non-commissioned officers, and maintain such a force as may be considered necessary for current services.

51481.

3 D