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would seriously deter really good men from taking up so prevarious a profession. The Conf→ inandant sees no way out of this difficulty under existing conditions, but the occasional introduc- tion for a term of years of Adjutants and Sergeant-Instructors from the Imperial Service, who would revert to that Service on the completion of their engagements, and would then have no further claims on the Colony. Until some scheme is devised by which the Government can find employment for men who have satisfactorily performed their duties in the comparatively junior ranks, for which permanent officers are employed, the proposal of the Commandant seems tho best and most economical that can be suggested. Good men can hardly be expected to pass the whole of their lives as Adjutants of Militia or Volunteers without prospect of advancement, nor can the Colony be recommended to provide pensions for them when they have passed the age for which such appointments are fitting. On the other hand, without good instructors no branch of the defence force can maintain its efficiency.

With regard to the permanent forces, this question of retirement was very frequently brought forward by Major-General Hutton, and is referred to in paragraph 55 of his successor's Report. In this case there is prospect of ultimate promotion of efficient officers to higher ranks; but there is no doubt that Major-General French is tight in saying that for these also “smart men in the prime of life are a necessity, and that if the force is to be a success, there must, as in the Regular Service, be a limit of age for all ranks." It can be no economy to continue to pay an officer for duties which he is no longer in a physical state satisfactorily to perform, nor can it be said that this is a wise system for rewarding past services.

7. The various steps that have been taken to improve the quality and instruction of the Active Militia, and are referred to in the Major-General's Report (pages 24 and 25), appear to be all in the right direction, and the many applications to form provisional schools for infantry officers is evidence of a strong desire for efficiency, of which every advantage should be taken.

8. The Colonial Defence Committee have recently addressed the War Office on the subject of encouraging the presence of the Militia told off for the defence of Halifax at the annual rehearsal of the Defence Scheme for that fortress. The Major-General states (page 26) that to make the mobilization on that occasion a complete success it should take place on Labour Day or on Thanksgiving Day, if it would be possible to proclaim that day for a date about the middle of October instead of at the end of November.

A single day's work with the Imperial troops does not appear to the Committee to be sufficient to get full advantage from the co-operation, but at the same time they recommend, for the consideration of the War Office, that the period of annual manoeuvres at Halifax should include a day on which it would be possible for the Militia to turn out at full strength.

9. The Committee learn with very great satisfaction that, under the administra- tion of Lieutenant-Colonel Kitson, the present Commandant, the Royal Military College at Kingston is reverting to its former high standard and deserved popularity in the country.

10. The Committee finally desire to point out that the Annual Report of the Department of Militia and Defence is deficient in information on the subject of the present state of organization and equipment, and of the preparedness of the Dominion forces for war. This has no doubt rightly been excluded as being of a confidential nature, but the Colonial Defence Committee could more effectively advise the Dominion on subjects relating to its defence if the confidential reports of the Major-General Commanding on the above subjects were referred to them. From the Report now under consideration it would appear that the Canadian Forces are still without the various departments which are essential to an army when it takes the field. This is a subject which will no doubt engage the serious consideration of the Defence Committee about to assemble in Canada.

·June 28, 1898.

(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committea

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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. Harrison,—30/6/98.

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