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10. The pattern of small-arm to be adopted is a question rather for musketry experts. The Colonial Defence Committee merely desire to state, for the information of the Government of New Zealand, that the Canadian Government are now rearming their Militia with the Martini-Metford rifle, and that a proposal has been mooted to substitute the Metford barrel in the Martini-Henry rifles of our Home Volunteers. It is suggested that the Martini-Metford rifle affords a satisfactory compromise between the Martini- Henry rifle proposed and the Lee-Metford rifle rejected by Colonel Fox, as it combines the advantage of the small-bore barrel of the latter with the simplicity of the former.
11. As far as the Committee can form an opinion in the absence of plans, the alterations in the sites of certain heavy guns, as shown on p. 63, with a view to concentrating and improving the artillery defence, are judicious. It is satisfactory to note that no great expenditure is recommended on new works or heavy armament, and that the proposed programme is mainly confined to the completion of works under construction, and the provision of the necessary equipment and accessories for them and the submarine mine defences.
12. As pointed out by the Colonial Defence Committee in their remarks of October 1891, the Colony of New Zealand has liberally provided for the fixed defences of its ports, but, in order to derive full advantage from their powerful armament, an organization providing a sufficiency of trained and disciplined men to meet the needs of the Colony is still required.
As a necessary preliminary to acquiring a satisfactory military organization, the Government of New Zealand has wisely provided itself with a competent Commandant, and is now in possession of the recommendations made by him for reforming its military system. Subject to the opinion expressed in paragraph 1 of these remarks, the Colonial Defence Committee approve of those recommendations, and consider that they are the best that can be devised for placing the New Zealand forces on a sound footing. They suggest that the importance of putting those recommendations into full operation with the least possible delay should be urged on the New Zealand Government, who, the Committee feel confident, judging from the liberal way in which the fixed material defences of the Colony have been provided for, will treat in a no less liberal spirit the still more important matter of the organization of the personnel of its military forces, and will not rest satisfied until they are in an assured position to derive the fullest advantage in war time from their military expenditure.
(Signed)
October 31, 1893.
W. PEACOCKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.--
-7/11/93.
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