CAB7-4 — Page 426

Page 426

398

Appendix No. 4. Colony have hitherto failed, and whilst we find the inhabitants of the adjacent provinces of the Dominion of Canada are liable to be balloted and called out in accordance with the Militia Acts of the NEWFOUNDLAND. Dominion, the people of Newfoundland cannot by law be called upon to perform any service whatever

by land or sea.

Character and avo-

This may in some measure be due to the habits and avocations of the male portion of the com- munity rendering it very difficult, and almost impossible, to organize them as soldiers. In order the more readily to understand any suggestions which may be submitted for raising a local force for the defence of Newfoundland, it becomes necessary to give a brief description of the character and habits of its people.

The great bulk of the labouring population are employed, directly or indirectly, in the fisheries

cations of the people. which are the staple industry of the Colony.

People easily influ- enced by political agitators.

Religion.

Advantages and dis- advantages of the Colony as a military station.

Remarks.

Forco organized on a naval model might be

raised.

With the exception of those who reside in St. John's and Harbour Grace, the population are scat- tered around the entire coast-line of the island, living in small villages and hamlets situated on the shores of the various bays, creeks, and harbours which indent the coast wherever facilities exist for catching and curing fish.

Their occupations are thus thoroughly healthy. Much of their lives is spent in the open air in a climate very favourable to health. Under these circumstances, we find them to be a robust, hardy race, with a physical development which compares favourably with that of any other population; possessed of wonderful powers of enduring trial and privation; patient, industrious, and, as a whole, characterized by sobriety. They are orderly and law-abiding. Crime of a serious character is rare. They are quiet and peaceable, and easily subjected to discipline. Their great want is education, which, owing to a defective system, and the scattered condition of the population, is very limited.

Accustomed from their early years to the sea, the male portion of the fishing population are admirable sailors, and unsurpassed for skill, courage, and endurance. Some 10,000 of them embark each spring in the prosecution of the seal-fishery, an occupation involving great hardships which only the strongest men could encounter. These are the picked men of the fishermen class, and in regard to physical development and power of enduring toil and exposure it would be impossible to find a finer body of men than the seal-hunters of Newfoundland.

From these strong, daring men, inured from boyhood to dangers, and accustomed to toil and privation, an excellent force might be raised which, if encouraged and duly trained and organized, would prove a most valuable auxiliary in the defence of the Colony.

[Note.---France has always been impressed with the vast importance of the Newfoundland fisheries as an extensive nursery for the seamen whom she requires to man her fleet.]

The people of Newfoundland generally are thoroughly loyal and attached to the British Consti- tution, but they are easily agitated, and, from want of education, are readily subject to the influence of any party which affects a popular character, the leaders of which have nothing in common with the people, and little or no connection with the fisheries, their principal object being to influence and use them for their own political advantage.

In the present day Newfoundland includes a larger portion of the Roman Catholic element in proportion to its population than any other British Colony.

There

The proportion of Protestants to Roman Catholics in the whole island is about three to two, but in St. John's the Roman Catholics greatly predominate, being in the proportion of two to one. is a very strong Irish element among the lower classes in St. John's; most of them are uneducated, and all are very excitable and frequently very turbulent. No very great reliance can be placed on the loyalty of this part of the community, and it must always be a matter for serious consideration whether it would be advisable, even if it were possible, to organize them as a militia.

No Colony appears to offer greater advantages as a military station, in respect to the healthy nature of its climate, and the moderate prices of all the necessaries of life, which compare favourably with the cost of supplies in the adjacent provinces of the Dominion of Canada.

As regards the discipline of the troops when quartered in the Colony, it would appear that the crime of drunkenness prevailed to a very considerable extent. Spirits could be procured at a cheap rate, and were very much drugged and adulterated. There was a constant intermixture and associa- tion between the soldier and the inhabitants of the town, and the men were frequently tempted to desert under promises which were never fulfilled.

A permanent Imperial force, called the Royal Newfoundland Companies, was established about the year 1825, but the evils resulting from having any permanent corps for duty in the Colony were fully recognized, and in 1862 the companies were broken up and their places in garrison filled up by men from the Royal Canadian Rifles, who were relieved from time to time until the garrison was withdrawn from St. John's.

From this brief review of the social elements existing in this Colony, it will be seen how many difficulties stand in the way of raising and organizing a well-disciplined and effective militia, and it must be extremely doubtful whether such a force could be properly organized from a population of seafaring men, few of whose residences are located beyond 3 miles from the sea-shore, and who are absent from their homes for nearly eight months in the year engaged in the fisheries.

Although, from the character and avocations of the people of Newfoundland, it may not be possible to organize a militia trained as soldiers, there can be no doubt that with a hardy seafaring population, far greater in proportion than that of any other Colony, advantage might be taken of such a class of men for the formation of an efficient and reliable reserve for the defence of the Colony.

The naval model would appear to be in many ways far better suited for such a force than a purely military system, and with careful organization and strict naval discipline whilst under training, it may reasonably be concluded that in a few years Newfoundland would possess a reserve which would prove a most valuable auxiliary to Imperial arms, and, as regards quality, would be equal to, if not better than, any other colonial force of a similar nature.

Therefore, taking everything into consideration, and the certainty that many men would be found

Page 426

Page 426

Page 426