CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 360

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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. February 3, 1896.

SECRET.

No. 130 R.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

C.O. No. 435.

Report by the Naval Commandant for the Year

1894-95.

Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

.

""

THE Committee note with satisfaction that the purpose of the Govern- ment to maintain the Protector in a more active condition has been carried out, and that in spite of reduced staff, establishment, and funds, the crew is kept well trained and the ship and its armament are in good order.

2. The Committee consider that the Commandant is amply justified by his position as Naval Adviser to the Government of South Australia in bringing to notice all measures he deems to be essential for increasing the efficiency of the force under his command and the matériel in his charge. While, however, they are of opinion that all expenditure necessary to keep the Naval Force in its present generally satisfactory condition should be incurred, they do not think that at this time of financial depression it is advisable to carry out the somewhat costly conversion of the guns of the "Protector" to the quick-firing principle, as strongly advocated by the Commandant. They notice also that there is no recommendation to this effect in the Inspection Report of the Naval Commander-in-chief, whose opinion on such matters the Colonial Defence Committee suggested in their Remarks, dated the 5th April, 1895, on the Report of the Naval Commandant for the year 1893-94, should accompany the proposals of the Commandant when submitted for the consideration of the Committee.

3. The minor proposals of the Commandant, such as the utilization by the Naval Defence Force of an available Government steam-launch, the pro- vision of a suitable drill-shed and store, and the structural repairs and alterations stated to be necessary to the "Protector," will doubtless be duly considered by the Government of South Australia.

4. In view of the unsatisfactory condition of the Military Forces of the Colony, as set forth in the Report of the Military Commandant recently considered by the Colonial Defence Committee, they think it advisable to recommend here that when funds on a larger scale become again available for purposes of South Australian Defence, they should be applied in the first instance to an increase in the establishment of the land forces and to the formation of an efficient reserve.

January 31, 1896.

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(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON. 3/2/96.

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