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command of the different arms should take an interest in the volunteers and be charged with responsibility for the general direction of their training in peace.

The object the Committee had in view in making their recommendations was to ensure that the training of the volunteer units should be so arranged that their services in war may be utilised to the greatest advantage. It is especially desirable in the interests of efficiency that the instruction of volunteer forces who can devote but a limited time to military training should be supervised by officers who have an exact knowledge of what will be expected from the different units in war.

Again, it is a cardinal military principle that the officer responsible for commanding troops in peace should be the officer who will exercise command over them in war. Under the present arrangement functions of command necessarily centre in the Com- mandant. But on mobilization the Commandant will be divested of all functions of command, as the various units of volunteers will be allotted independently to different duties in the defence. It must tend greatly to weaken the sense of responsibility of the commanding officers of volunteer units, and the self-confidence that will be so essential to the proper performance of the important duties assigned to them in war, if in time of peace they have been taught to look up to and become dependent on a comparatively junior officer of regular forces who will exercise no command over them in war.

5. The Colonial Defence Committee explained in their Remarks No. 364 R that they do not suggest any alteration in regard to the office of Commandant during the tenure of that appointment by the present holder, but they remain of opinion that the perpetuation of this office is inadvisable.

In the case of the similarly circumstanced Colony of the Straits Settlements the paid office of Commandant is being abolished on the recommendation of the Committee, but as the Governor represented that the civil avocations of the officers of volunteers did not leave them the necessary time to devote to administrative work, the Committee suggested, as an extension of recommendations similar to those made in their Remarks No. 364 R, that an army officer should be appointed Staff Officer to the Colonial Forces an appointment recommended by the Committee in the case of Colonies where there are no Imperial troops. Such an officer in the case of Hong Kong would relieve the commanding officers of all the volunteer units of administrative work and the charge of stores, and might act as adjutant to the artillery branch, which forms the most important part of the force, leaving the acting adjutants of engineers and infantry to assist the commanding officers of the other units in regard to the training of their respective commands.

(Signed) J. E. CLAUSON, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

June 16, 1906.

083

approved by army

Council

1/7/06.

4223

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