CAB9-1_PT2 — Page 14

SECRET.

No. 153 R.

NEW ZEALAND.

Report of Colonel Fox on Defence Forces, 1896.

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Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a Report by Colonel Fox, dated the 23rd September, 1896, on the Defence Forces of New Zealand.

2. In January of last year the Premier is reported to have stated that the Colony was fully equipped to resist any invader, and in June the Governor when opening Parliament said that every effort was being made to make the defence of the Colony effective. The Estimates show that an expenditure of some 70,0001. is incurred annually on the military forces, which consist of some 270 permanent Artillery and Engineers and over 5,000 Volunteers. These numbers should nearly suffice for defence against the only form of attack which is considered probable-a raid on one of the four ports of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin-and the former Military Adviser to the New Zealand Government, whose report is now under con- sideration, recognizes that the available troops of the Colony should be disposed for this defence. The Report also shows that a keen spirit pervades all ranks of at least a considerable portion of the force.

3. This is all satisfactory, but, on the other hand, a careful perusal of the Report shows that very little has yet been done towards improving the radically faulty organization commented on in the Remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee, dated the 21st November, 1895, on the Report of Colonel Fox of last year, and that for this reason the expenditure of energy and money on the New Zealand forces remains for the most part inoperative.

No Defence Scheme, as recommended in paragraph 4 of the above- quoted Remarks, appears to have been prepared. It is not clear that the responsibility for all troops, works, and armaments in the different districts. has been concentrated in their commanders. Training, equipment, and stores vary considerably in the different parts of the Colony, and in some parts are so imperfect that the troops are reported useless. There appear to be no definite arrangements for the concentration of the small companies and so-called batteries into the larger units in which they would have to work in war, while staff and departmental organization is practically non-existent in the force.

4. It is hoped that the appointment towards the end of last year of a Commandant for the forces of New Zealand will be followed by their reorganization so as to make the considerable expenditure incurred on them productive of the fullest results. At the same time it must be noted that it is not for the want of advice that the present faulty organization exists.

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