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Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have considered the Report of the Local Committee of St. Lucia, in which it is stated that the Colony is "unable to organize any scheme of defence owing to the want of means.". The Com- mittee further state that the male population is decreasing, and they are of opinion that it would be useless at present to revise the Militia Ordinance of 1854, which was in operation for three years, but "did not work satisfactorily.

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Under these circumstances, the Colonial Defence Committee consider that no measures of local defence can at present be organized. The position of St. Lucia will, however, be materially changed by its occupation as a fortified Imperial coaling station, and as soon as this has taken place, the Local Com- mittee should be reassembled and a scheme of defence prepared. It will then be desirable to consider the suggestion of the removal of the cable landing-place from Grand Cul-de-Sac to Port Castries.

2nd Danr. 1880.

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G.S. Clark Secuitary

Cot! depce Committ

Душа

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.—23/12/87,

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