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proportioned to its commerce and population, and it would be desirable that the amount should be periodically revised.

We are aware that at the Intercolonial Conference held at Sidney in January, 1881, a Resolu- tion was adopted in the following terms:-

"That, in the opinion of this Conference, considering the large Imperial interests involved, the naval defence of these Colonies should continue to be the exclusive charge of the Imperial Government, and that the strength of the Australian squadron should be increased. That the members of this Conference pledge themselves to use all legitimate endeavours to procure the efficient fortifications and land defence of the several ports of the Australian Colonies at the

· cost of the several Colonies interested."

"

In the face of that Resolution we hesitate to recommend that a formal proposal should at this moment be made to the several Colonies on the subject; but we think that no fair opportunity should be lost of bringing and keeping the matter before the Australian people, and if this is done with tact and judgment we cannot doubt that, with a continuance of the good feeling which now happily exists, public opinion in Australia will soon be ripe for a satisfactory settlement of the question.

Experience has shown that war evokes a hearty spirit of loyalty in your Majesty's Australian Dependencies, and there is reason to hope that, considering their fast-increasing prosperity, the larger Colonies will, before long, be prepared, even in times of peace, to accept the principle of a contribution towards the cost of the Australian squadron, and that the other Colonies will follow their example.

+

The Colonies will recognize that in the protection of commerce in the Australian seas their interest is not less than that of the mother-country, and whilst Great Britain will willingly bear the greater share in the defence of her dependencies, a glance at the subjoined Table will show how wide is the disproportion in taxation for defence purposes borne by the populations of the United Kingdom and Australia respectively.

441

Extracts from the Third and Final Report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce abroad.

1. Our first Report contains a summary of the trade of the United Kingdom with British possessions and foreign countries out of Europe, and of the whole trade of the British Colonies.

In our second Report we called attention more especially to the question of coal supply, and to the protection of tlie colonial and commercial interests of the Empire by your Majesty's fleet. We also dealt, in the second part of that Report, with the defence of the Australian Colonies.

We propose in this, our third Report, to conclude our inquiry, proceeding according to the great trade routes,

2. We are of opinion that Heligoland, though a colony, from its position ought to be considered in connection with the home defences, and we have, therefore, not included it in our inquiry.

Year. Importe.

Exporta. Revenue. Expenditure.

Population.

Public Debt.

Military and Naval Expenditure.

Expenditure per Head of Population for Military and Naval Purposes.

L

£

£

£

+

s. d.

*

New South Wales

1870

14,108,847

13,086,819

4,475,059

Victoria

1879

15,035,538

12,454, 170

4,621,620

Bouth Australia

1679

5,014,120

4,762,727

1,662,498

5,839,150 4,833,879 1,847,266

259,460

Wantern Australia

119

407,209

447,984

196,315

196,812

Queensland

1870

3,080,889

3,434,034

1,481,824

1,678,681

28,668 217,861

Tasmania

1870

1,267,475

1,301,097

Now Zealand...

1879

8,374,685

United Kingdom

1879

362,991,875

6,743, 126 248,763,364

376,367 3,134,005 B3,116,972

3,840,038 85,407,789

406.139

112,469

463,729 34,158,126

734,232 14,937,419 90,833 20,060,783 6,606,750 361,000 10,192,050 1,786,800 23,958, 310

85,778 0 0 77,232 0 0 23,534 7 6

191

6,895 0 0 4,542 0 0

775,846,147

40,374 0 0 20,662,094 0 0

(Signed) March 23, 1882.

HERBERT JEKYLL, Secretary.

I. THE ROUTE BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

3. The distance between England and the Cape of Good Hope is 6,000 miles, and it is imperatively necessary, if only for the sake of maintaining the communication, that means for coaling should be secured for your Majesty's ships at one or more intermediate points.

The intermediate coaling-stations now used are Lisbon, Gibraltar, Madeira, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, and Ascension. Of these, Lisbon, Madeira, and St. Vincent are in foreign territory, and would not be available during war.

(Signed)

CARNARVON.

CAMPERDOWN.

H. T. HOLLAND. ALEXR. MILNE.

J. L. A. SIMMONS.

HENRY BARKLY.

SAM. WHITBREAD.

R. G. C. HAMILTON.

Sierra Leone.

4. Sierra Leone is conveniently situated midway between the United Kingdom and the Cape of Good Hope. The harbour is capacious and secure, and should be placed in a state of defence

as a couling and refitting station for your Majesty's ships and a port of refuge for the commercial marine.

5. The garrison we think must be supplied from your Majesty's forces, but might consist largely of coloured troops. No assistance in the shape of volunteers or militia can be looked for in the Colony.

6. The resources of the settlement are small, and the entire cost of establishing and maintaining the defences must, for the present, fall upon Imperial funds.

The Gambia.

7. The Gambia, which is only 80 miles from Dakar, may appear to be more favourably situated than Sierra Leone for a naval station, but the Reports show that it is not, and cannot be, adapted for this purpose. There are some old batteries at Bathurst, the armament of which should, we think, be removed, unless required for protection against the natives.

Ascension.

8. Ascension is a volcanic island about 1.000 miles from Sierre Leone, 680 miles from St. Helena, and 2,380 miles from the Cape of Good Hope. It is 8 miles long and 7 miles broad, and has no harbour, but only a roadstead and landing-place on its west or leeward side. It is entirely under the control of the Admiralty, who keep a small supply of stores there, and have established a sanitarium with barracks on Green Hill, in the interior, at a height of about 2,000 feet, for the benefit of ships cruizing off the West Coast of Africa.

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