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tug is required to patrol the approaches to the ports by night and board all vessels wishing for admission. The service of torpedo-boats can be rendered effective only in the hands of a thoroughly trained permanent body. Unless such a body can be maintained, therefore, the Committee consider that further expenditure in this direction is unadvisable.

In view of the only probable form of attack, the Committee consider that the 6-inch breech-loading gun, which is regarded as sufficient for the defence of the commercial ports of the United Kingdom, may safely be accepted as the standard of armament. This alone will enable considerable economy to be effected.

As regards the personnel, the Committee consider that the figures proposed by Major-General Schaw meet all necessary requirements. The cadres of a field force, to oppose a landing, should be maintained. For, although a landing in force need not be considered as long as our navy is undefeated, yet it would be right to face the possibility of our naval supremacy in Australasian waters not being perpetual. They desire, therefore, to draw attention to the importance of a reserve of volunteers. The encouragement of Rifle Clubs, although a wise measure in itself, does not in any way obviate the necessity for trained men capable of expanding the ranks of the paid forces in time of war. There would be no obligation resting on the members of the Clubs to serve in the ranks. They would have no uniforms, and would not have acquired any of the elements of discipline and organized action; they would have no officers. The Committee, therefore, strongly urge that measures should be taken to provide for the deficiency in personnel to which Major-General Schaw draws attention; and they hope that the economy which they have recommended in other directions may possibly enable the difficulties which have been experienced in relation to the volunteer force to be overcome.

(Signed)

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

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June 5, 1888.

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J, W. HARRISON. —6/3/1901.

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