CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 107

Page 107

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. June 11, 1891.

CONFIDENTIAL.

BOR

BARBADOS.

BARBADOS.

446.

Secret.

Amended Report of Local Committee.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the proposal of the Local Committee of Barbados, dated the 2nd March, 1891, for the creation of a Defence Force, and have had the advantage of personal conference with the Governor, Sir W. Sendall.

Of the alternative schemes (A and B) which have been Colonial Defence Committee unhesitatingly prefer the former. if carried into effect, would provide the following force, viz. :—

Artillery

Mounted infantry Infantry

Total

prepared, the This scheme,

100 Militia.

50 Existing police 208 ] force.

300

Militia

658

Having regard to the general principles of the defence of the West India Islands laid down in Memorandum No. 40 of the 14th July, 1890, and approved by Her Majesty's Government, this force, if properly maintained and drilled, should fully suffice for the immediate requirements of Barbados after the removal of the Imperial troops.

The Colonial Defence Committee understand that the proposed schemes have not yet been submitted to the House of Assembly, and they desire to point out the desirability of arriving at a decision as soon as practicable, since the organization of the proposed force will necessarily occupy some time.

With regard to some of the questions raised in the scheme of the Local Committee, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to make the following remarks :—

1. They concur with the view expressed in the minority Report of the General Officer Commanding as to the advantage in the continuity of training of the proposed Militia. It is, however, understood that there would probably be difficulty arising from the local conditions of labour in arranging for a continuous training of sixty days in each year. This is the opinion of the Governor, and the Colonial Defence Committee consider that the principle of the division of the training into two periods may be accepted, provided that the force is brought together as a whole at the Savannah for a sufficient time in each year. The principle of local training by companies has been found to answer in the case of Volunteers in this country.

2. As regards paragraphs 17 and 25, the Colonial Defence Committee assume that the Government establishment at St. Anne's will, on the with- drawal of the Imperial troops, be dealt with in accordance with the general

* According to Return of the 31st December, 1888.

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