CAB9-1_PT2 — Page 286

t

1 |

Page 286

3

Geraldton, 120; and Bunbury, 100. These arrangements appear the best that can be made in the circumstances set forth in the Defence Scheme. The Colonial Defence Committee do not, however, attribute great importance to the proposed defence of Geraldton and Bunbury.

7. It is observed that in the "Column of Remarks on the Mobilization Table on page 4, "Camp equipment complete and in good order" is made to refer to the proposed war establishment. It is certainly most desirable that the camp equipment for the complete force of about 1,500 of all ranks and arms should be kept in store ready for mobilization; it seems doubtful, however, whether the above-quoted remark should be taken to mean that this is now done.

8. In the Table on page 4 of the Defence Scheme two available ·303-in. machine- guns are allotted to the defence of Albany, and two proposed guns of this nature (since ordered) to the defence of Freemantle. These guns should be looked upon as infantry weapons, and a machine-gun section to work them should be added to the proposed establishment of the infantry regiments for Albany and Freemantle.

9. Two 4-7-in. Q.F. guns are entered in the Table on page 4 as a proposed fixed armament for Freemantle. The Colonial Defence Committee do not consider that this question requires to be dealt with in connection with the present Defence Scheme. They think that the provision of fixed defences for Freemantle should be held over until effect has been given to the recommendations as to personnel contained in the Scheme.

10. It is observed that the total proposed provision of 303-in. small-arms is limited to 1,400. This will only just suffice to arm the proposed war establishment of about 1,500 of all ranks and some reserve should certainly be provided.

11. The Colonial Defence Committee, looking on the present Defence Scheme as intended to be only an outline to show the general arrangements put forward for the defence of Western Australia, do not propose to point out in detail the many points which require further consideration and amplification. These will be seen from a careful study of the Committee's Memorandum No. 46, dated the 3rd May, 1893, of which a copy should accompany the present Remarks.

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

December 28, 1898.

(Signed)

Colonial Defence Committee.

Approved by 5. of 5. for war, 194/1/199,

266

in austral aus

39.

Page 286

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON.—30/12/98,

Page 286

1325/4ge 28

28761200

[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.]

age 87 of 290-

176

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. December 30, 1898.

SECRET.

No. 203 R.

QUEENSLAND.

C.O. No. 25121.

Report by Commandant on Queensland Military Forces for the Year 1897-98,

Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee the Report of the Commandant, Queensland Military Forces, dated the 18th August, 1898.

4

2. The Report shows that on the 30th June, 1898, the establishment of the military forces was 408 less than on the corresponding date last year, and the strength 215 less. The strength was 523 below establishment, the deficiencies being 12 in the permanent force, 366 in the defence militia force, and 145 in the volunteers. These deficiencies do not appear to have been due to any difficulty in obtaining willing and suitable recruits, but merely to the large reduction in the vote for pay which necessitated the reduction in the strength of "A" Battery, whereby "its efficiency as a unit was to a great extent paralyzed," and the rejection of candidates who presented themselves for enrolment as supernumeraries in the defence force, whereby the failure was ensured of a recently started experiment to add to the strength of this force by the formation of a reserve.

The total strength of the Queensland forces on the 30th June, 1898, as shown on page 1 of the present Report was 2,629 of all ranks against about 5,000 held to be necessary in war, The Colonial Defence Committee's observations in the 4th and 5th sub-paragraphs of paragraph 2 of their Remarks No. 174 R, dated the 8th December, 1897, still apply generally to the question of raising peace to war strength.

3. The Colonial Defence Committee have learnt with satisfaction that as a result of the increased prosperity of the Colony about 12,000l. more has been put down in next year's estimates for military expenditure. This they understand is mainly to be expended in raising the establishment of the permanent force. The necessity for this is very obvious from the present Report of the Commandant and from the Report of the Officer Commanding "A" Battery which it forwards. (Appendix C.)

4. The Colonial Defence Committee strongly endorse the Commandant's remarks as to the importance of field firing, which could be arranged for by making the annual encampment cover 8 clear days (p. 4), and of increasing the permanent staff to provide instructors for the defence force and volunteers (pp. 7 and 8). These points were dealt with by the Committee in paragraphs 3 and 4 of their Remarks No. 174 R.

[2009]