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the United Kingdom to the Cape of Good Hope. Beyond the Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Singapore, Aden, and the large Australian porta, in conjunction with Colombo and the Indian ports, will support your Majesty's ships, and will so far secure British trade and British possessions within that ocean. Hong Kong will enable the fleet to act with effect in the China Sea and will do much to secure our China trade. Jamaica and St. Lucia will enable your Majesty's ships to guard the West Indian Colonies and their trade, while Bermuda and Halifax will support them in protecting trade in the North Atlantic. The Australian Colonies-growing rapidly in wealth and population are year by year, by their own efforts, becoming more able to resist hostile attack, and to assist in the common defence of the Empire.

76. It appears to us that direct communication should be kept up by British vessels with all the important parts of your Majesty's Empire. A line of steamers carrying both passengers and mails, and a direct line of telegraph, is not only important from a military point of view, but must exercise a great and probably an assimilating influence upon the relations of any two peoples.

77. We have not thought it our duty to recommend the construction of any docks or similar works. We have observed in the course of our inquiry that private Companies are constructing or are contemplating the construction of commercial docks at several important colonial ports, which might, at small increase of cost, be made available for the largest ships in your Majesty's navy. It may not be out of place to call the attention of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to these cases, in some of which an Imperial contribution on certain conditions might secure valuable accommodation for your Majesty's ships.

78. We think that local levies should be raised where they are likely to prove trustworthy and efficient. In the West Africa Settlements, the West Indies, and other places, native soldiers have done good service. We are also of opinion that the practice of employing Imperial soldiers in duties hardly distinguishable from those of police-especially in the smaller Crown Colonies- should be discontinued as soon as possible, as their withdrawal on the outbreak of war might, as we have before pointed out, give rise to disturbances.

may

be

79. In the course of our inquiry it has come to our notice that at many places in your Majesty's dominions there are obsolete fortifications and ordnance. Defences of this nature useful for some purposes, as, for instance, against a native rising; but they are useless against modern ships of war, while themselves inviting attack. We think that these cases should be carefully considered, with a view to the removal of the guns, and the demolition of the works, where they have ceased to serve any useful purpose.

80. It is not as yet possible to define with accuracy the conditions upon which to determine the relative apportionment of the burdens as between the mother-country and her Colonies, and though the principle may be hereafter fixed, the relative proportions of payment will necessarily vary from time to time. The maintenance of the Royal Navy has hitherto fallen, and must, for the present, whatever we may look to in the future, fall upon Imperial funds, as also a large portion of the charge of fortifying and garrisoning those positions which it is essential to maintain, in order to enable your Majesty's ships to hold the seas. On the other hand, speaking generally, the Colonies, we think, ought to undertake the local defence of their commercial ports, and contribute towards the protection of the naval stations upon which the security of their territory and trade so largely depends. The Australian Colonies have already recognized this principle, and are taking effectual measures for the defence of their principal ports.

81. The relations between Great Britain and her Colonies in regard to the general defence of the Empire must alter as time goes on. The growth of the Colonies in wealth and population will, in all human probability, be relatively more rapid than that of Great Britain; and their power to take a fair share of the defence of the Empire will be constantly on the increase. We are fully sensible of the immense and increasing value of the Colonies to the Empire, and we appreciate as much as we respect their loyalty and patriotism. There is no sign of unwillingness on their part to assume as large a portion of the Imperial burden as their strength will enable them to bear. The free and constant communications which are maintained with the responsible Colonial Governments on all matters of common interest will contribute powerfully to keep up a sense of partnership and mutual dependence, and to strengthen the bonds of affection between the mother- country and her Colonial Empire.

82. We must once more aubmit that many individual opinions were expressed to us in evidence on the understanding that they would not be published. In obeying your Majesty's commande, we have been compelled to give details as to many military positions which, in our opinion, it would be clearly inexpedient to communicate to the general public or to foreign Governments.

83. We have, in conclusion, only to add that our recommendations are a statement of what, in our deliberate judgment, is essential for the defence of your Majesty's possessions abroad. We have of course contemplated a state of war, but our recommendations may, perhaps, be entitled to more consideration from the fact that we have had the advantage of being able to deal with the whole subject in a time of peace.

(Signed)

CARNARVON. CAMPERDOWN. H. T. HOLLAND. ALEX. MILNE.

J. L. A. SIMMONS. HENRY BARKLY. SAM. WHITBREAD. R. G. C. HAMILTON.

(Signed)

22nd July, 1882.

HERBERT JEKYLL, Secretary.

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