CO885-5 — Page 82

Second Report,

paragraphs 129-136

16

Colonies shall have made application for a training vessel, the Imperial Govern- ment shall assist the Colony as far as possible, either by transferring a suitable vessel, if there be one available, or by contributing towards the purchase."

With regard to the larger question of the naval defence of Australia and of Australian commerce on the high seas, "the time," in the opinion of the Commission, "has arrived when the Colonies may reasonably be expected to take upon them- selves some share of that defence-a burden hitherto exclusively borne by the mother country." They do not approve of the suggestion that the Colonies should maintain sea-going ships of their own, but they "see no reason why the Colonies should not make a moderate contribution in money towards the cost of that squadron which is maintained by the mother country for the protection of interests common to the Colonies and herself.” At the Inter-Colonial Conference held at Sydney in 1881, the following Resolution was adopted :—

4

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 fortifica- tions 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, the Commission hesitate to recommend that a formal proposal should at this moment be made to the Colonies on the subject, but they think that no fair opportunity should be lost of bringing and keeping the matter before the Australian people; and they believe that, considering their fast increasing prosperity, the large Colonies will, before long, be prepared, even in time of peace, to accept the principle of a contribution towards the cost of the Australian squadron.

February 8, 1883.

H. J.

i

PRINTED AT TEN FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.—16/2/83.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885 5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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