CONFIDENTIAL.
Report of Local Committee.
QUEENSLAND.
QUEENSLAND.
25001.
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Defence Committee have had under consideration the Report drawn up by the Local Committee of Queensland.
They have already laid down the general principles which should, in their opinion, govern the defence of the Australasian Colonies, and their views have been embodied in the Colonial Office Circular despatch of the 14th January, 1890. Attack in force upon any of the ports of these Colonies is so highly improbable, that it need not be taken into consideration so long as the squadron in Australasian waters is maintained at the strength which it will shortly possess. Raids by a small force of cruizers, or a single cruizer, might, however, be attempted by an enemy, with the object of obtaining coal or other stores, or in order to destroy shipping and public or private property. Such a raid might even be attempted with no more definite object than to create alarm, and to obtain the prestige which might appear to attach to an operation of no real military importance whatever.
From its geographical position with respect to the possible bases of other Powers, Queensland is liable to a raid of this nature, which, if under- taken at all, would probably be attempted at the very outset of war. Such vessels as are likely to be thus employed would be little able to face defences on shore, and it would, therefore, be a principal object to deliver an attack of this nature at a time when it might be hoped that the organi- zation for defence was incomplete and confusion likely to occur.
Under these circumstances, it appears to the Colonial Defence Com- mittee that Queensland should be in possession of a scheme of defence such as now exists in other Colonies, in which all the measures, which might have to be taken at short notice, are clearly laid down.
From this point of view, the scheme under consideration appears to fall short of the requirements of the Colony. The measures which should be taken are, for the most part, stated; but the means of carrying them out do not appear to have been considered, and the consequent arrangements are not laid down.
Thus, dealing with the defences of the capital, Brisbane, it is of the utmost importance that a definite scheme of distribution of the available force should be prepared, showing clearly where each unit of each arm would come from, how it would be conveyed to its destination, and the time and means required for the purpose. The general distribution of the forces for the defence of Brisbane having been fixed, a garrison should be detailed for each work of defence, and all arrangements for supply fully considered. Unless this is done, there is no possibility of any proper utilization of the resources of the Colony to meet a sudden attack, and the armaments which have been provided at much expense would be practically useless.
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