DEFENCES OF THE COLONY. REPORT OF THE JOINT SECRET COMMITTEES.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 September 1900, Page 2

DEFENCES OF THE COLONY. REPORT OF THE JOINT SECRET COMMITTEES.

PROPOSED EXPENDITURE OF £373,000. AND AN ANNUAii EXTRA COST OF £59,000. The report of the JoiQ Defence Secret dommittee came down, unexpectedly in both Houses of the Legislature yesterday afternoon, and contains reccimmendations of the utmost importance. Dealing first with FORTIFICATIONS AND MINE FIELDS. The Committee is. of opinion that it is necessary that the fortification's and harbour defences of the colony should be perfected, extended, and strengthened, having regard to the fact of Auckland possessing the Calliope Dock, and also to the fact ot arrangement existing between the Admiralty authorities and the Auckland Haiuour Board for the procurement and maintenance of fcbe necessary machinery and equipment of the dock, the Committee consiuers that is of the first importance that the defences of the Port of Auckland, both as regards fortifications, submarino mines, and tho necessary permanent and volunteer farces should be completed without delay. Tho necessary quick-firing guns -of the latest pattern and requisite calibre should be obtainedfor use at Auckland, and a sufficient stock of Westport coal should always be kept there for the use oi Her Majesty's warships, proper financial arrangements being made between the Imperial and New Zealand GovernmenLiras iv the stock of coal. Additional fortification!*, guns of more modern types, and quick tiring, guns are required tor the complete iortilicufion of Wellington, 'lho mine fields at Wellington require strengthening, and additional men to man and support the forts are needed. Tho iortificauons for the defence of Lyttelton require to bo altered as regards the position of the guns (the guns at Ripa Island should be rcjaoved to the Heads), and by the introduction of the necessary quick-firing guns and .completion of the lnino fields, while additional men are required to man and support the harbour defences. Tho defences of Port Chalmers / should be strengthened by the completion of the mine field and necessary adjuncts and by tho addition of suitable- guns. Having regard to the great importance of the Weslport coal fields, especially in time of war, and also , to tho opinions v/ith whicli they havo been favoured by His Excellency the Admiral Commanding the Australian Naval Station in respect to the necessity for fortifying West'port, the Committee is of opimoli that the fortifications recommended by His Excellency should be undertaken and completed without delay. Tho necessary steam Ltunches (or miners) and pinnaces in connection with the several fortified forts in the colony should be procured and be of up-to-date class. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS./ The Committee recommend: — That an ample supply of ammunition for the guns in tho forts and tho requisito stores for tho mine fields and spare parts of the mechanism of the guns, bo obtained and always maintained. That the Volunteer Forces of the colony be increased up to a maximum strength of all arms and ranks of 18,000. That tho- field artillery of the colony bo strengthened by obtaining three batteries (of newest typo of guns) in addition to tho field guns at present in tho colony. That eight Maxim guns of the latest approved pattern, together with the necessary ammunition, be , obtained. That 30,000 stand of arms, rifles and carbines, of approved pattern, with necessary accoutrements, be obtained for the defence of tho colony. That the supply of small aims ammunition be augmented as soon as possible to the extent that would be necessary in time of war, and that the supply in each volunteer district in the colony be constantly maintained by fresh supplies from time to time at that standard. That tho present' stock of bell tents, marquees, and camp equipment bo inoreased so as to meet the requirements of tho increased forcea of the colony. VOLUNTEER FORCE. It is further recommended that the whole of the Volunteer Foi ca of the colony should be properly equipped, such equipment- to include overcoat and waterproof sheet (to bo tho property of the corps). That the term of enrolment of volunteers' for service should in future be three years.- That Schools of Instruction be provided for volunteer officers at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, at least, and that it bo obligatory on officers. and non-commissioned officers to attend 'at one of such schools for instruction for such period, and to pass such examination as shall bo prescribed by regulations: -, That during* camps of instruction volunteers of all branches shall remain in camp during a period of seven whole days consecutively in each year, and shall be- paid by the Qevernment such wages in respect of such attendance as shall be prescribed by regulation. That it is expedient ?nd necessary that suitable rifle ranges be obtained in each Volunteer District where recommended by the Commander of the Forces. That the necessary legislation bo passed to enable the Government to take the lands necessary for such riflo ranges, such lands to be taken as provided by the Public Works Acts, the valuo of the land-i so taken or injuriously affected, and the compensation in respect of other lands not taken but -injuriously affected, to be assessed on tho basis of the land-tax valuo, plus lv per cent. ; that, except as above-mentioned, upon any land being legally proclaimed a rifle range, no pro-perty-owner or occupier shall thereafter have a right to any compensation, nor be legally able to object, to tho land beiug used as a rifle range, and that the whole cost of maintaining rifle ranges and erecting target's thereon shall be borne by the Government. That tho existing payments for daylight parades of volunteers be continued, a condition lor payment boing that one-half of the nominal strength of a company shall ba present ox* parade. That any volunteer who is absent from three Government parades consecutively •without a certificate from the volunteer med/cal omcer of his corps, or leave in writing from the officer commanding 1113 company, shall ceaso to bo a member of the company, ar.d shall not be eligible for enrolment in any other volunteer company for a period of two years. That

for garrison ailiUeiy and volunteer submarine miners the 'annual capitation be £3 10s, instead of £2 10s, n« at present. That tho uniform and the caps of the submarino branch of tho service bo restored to the pattern previously in use. THE MEDICAL SERVICE. . The Committee proposes that the medical branch of the Defence Forces be reorganised, and the general medical list be purged by striking of the names and cancelling the commissions of those medical officers who are unable to perform, or who have not hitherto performed, their volunteer medical duties. That the necessary medical and surgical appliances requisite for the defence forces be procured and maintained. That proper arrangements be made ensuring that the necessary field and base hospitals should be available in, the event of an outbreak of hostilities, xind that the requisite arrangements should be made with tho principal hospital at each provincial centre for the reception of patient? froijn the field hospitals in time of war. «That the medical officer of each company should give lectures and instruction to a number of tho members of his corps upon first aid to the injured. That volunteer medical officers be remunerated for their time in attending camps of exercise according to a scale to "be fixed by regulations. That the number and strength of Bearer Corps be increased; and supplied with the necessary equipment and necessary arrangements made for the transport of wounded in case of hostilities. That proper arrangements be made ensuring that cient transport is available to meet the case of a sudden outbreak of hostilities. HEADQUARTERS STAFF. The headquarters staff in each volunteer district in the colonj requires organising, so as to put it on a more serviceable footing than at present exists. IMPERIAL RESERVE. With respect to the formation of an Imperial Reserve, the Committee recommends that the following provisions shall apply:— lt shall be open to all officers and men belonging to the ordinary volunteer corps to become efficient in both services, and to enlist for three years in the reserve. Officers and men so enlisting shall receive £5 per annum as a personal payment on being certified as efficient, and shall be required to- go into camp at stated periods for, say, two weeks in each year, the- drills in camp as a volunteer to couut as part of the said tAvo weeks. Officers, non-commds-E:oned officers, and privates to be paid as prescribed by the regulations. The rererve shall be formed only upon condition 'hat the Imperial Government shall proTide the capital required to purchase the requisite field batteries, rifles, and equipment of the force, the colony paying a sum equal to or.e-hatf the interest upon such capital. The Imperial Government to provido all rccessary horses for the rescrvo when on service beyond the colony, but when in the colony, the officers and men to provide their own hor&es. The ptpmeut; of capitation and the payment of tho Reserve when in camp in the colon/ to be adjusted between the Imperial authorities and the Colonial Government, on a population or other equitable basis. When on service outside colony, within limits to be prescribed by Act of Parliament, the Imperial Government to pay the whole cost connected thevewith. The Reserve force to be liable for service as agreed upon between the Imperial and Colonial Governmcrts, agreement to bo subject to confirmation and ratification by the New Zealand Parliament. The number of the reserve force is not to exceed u.b the commencement 2000, onehalf at least to be field artillery, and tho other half mour.ted rifles. < Tho , pay of the officers and men on service outside the colony shall not be less than that which is being paid to the Fifth Contingent at present serving in SoutJ* Africa. RIFLE CLLBS. The formation of rifle clubs should be encouraged as a part of the defence system of tho colony, and under conditions somewhat as follows: — A club should consist of not less than twenty or mue than sixty members ; and in localities where volunteer corps have Been foimed only ex-volunteers who have had not less than three years efficient service, and arc over thirty years of age should be enrolled In localities Avhere there are no vo 7< inleer corps, rifle clubs may enrol members who have not had volunteer service, but 1.0 rifle club should be established within five miles of tho headquarters of a volunteer corps. Members should, where practicable, attend a proscribed number of drills and parades in the course of the year, tho instruction being iv respect hardling arms and -firing, exercise. The Government to supply rifles and ammunition to enrolled members at cost pri oc i. After one year's enrolment, members sIHI be tested at target practice, and on being able to make the minimum number of marks at the proscribed -ranges, and having attended the prescribed number of drills and parades, they shall be entitled to receive a certificate as being efficient. For the first year every enrolled meniL-. 1 shaill receive a free grant of fifty rounds of ammunition, and thereafter to every efficient member shall be allowed a free grant of one hundred rounds of ammuni tion, to be used at matches or at practice, members also to havo concession in tho shape of free railway passes when attending Rifle Association competitions. Rifle O.ub3 shall form part of the Battalion of the' Volunteer District in which they are located, and bt> subject to tho orders of the Officer-Commanding such District, and shall be- liable for active service on the declaration of war. CADET CORPS. Cadet carps in connection with the various schools in tho colony should bo established ard encouraged. They should be under the control of the Education Boards and the Education . Department, the Defence Department to supply a limited number of carbines and a certain quantity of ammunition for the use of the elder boys in school corps.* In addition .to school cadet corps, the Committeo recommends the formation of cadet corps to consist of youths who have left school, but who arc not ol<l eswii'li to join a volunteer corps. These corps .should be under the Defence Department, and subject to regulations to be prescribed. DEFENCE STORES. Matters of finance, and the ordering and receipt of military stores, should belong to the Department of the Undersecretary for Defence. On arrival in the central store they should be issued by that department to the Commander of the Forces, who should be responsible for seeing that the minimum Avar standard of such stores is maintained : that in addition to the central receiving store in Wellington there should be stores at the four chief volunteer centres, so that the stores from the receiving store could be sent to- each centre by the Commander of 'the Forces. The Commarder of the Forces should report to the Minister quarterly as to the stores in hand and the amounts required to bring them up ro the minimum Avar »hind:u-d. FINANCE. The Imperial authorities should be applied to advance the capital necessary to enable th.c colony to carry out such t>f the above recommendations as may be adopted by Parliament, and upon the terms Set forth in the Statement made in tho House of Representatives on the 20th July, 190.0, by the Premier and Minister of Defence. AMENDMENT OF DEFENCE ACT. An amending Defence Act should bo introduced and passed into laAv during

the present session giving legal effect to such of the recommendations as can properly be provided for, and the volunteer regulations also amended accordingly. NAVAL RESERVE. It is recommended that negotiations be opened up by the Government Avith the Commonwealth of Australia and- the Imperial Government with a view of ascertaining whether some satisfactory arrangements can be made for the establishment of a branch of tho Imperial or colonial naval reserve. CONVERSION OF STEAMERS. The attention of the Imperial authorities should be draAvn to the matter of the conversion of merchant steamers trading to this colony into armed cruisera, and the proper equipment of such steamers as cruisers. AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. Having regard to the altered international political condition, especially in China arid the Pacific, the committee recommends Cant representations should be made by the Government to the Commonwealth of Australia and to the Imperial Government as to the necessity ( of strengthening the Australian Squadron by raising the class and increasing the number of the cruisers composing that Squadron ; the increased cost to be paid by the Commonwealth of Australia and I\ew Zealand on the basis of the present agreement. CONCLUSION. This report the committee concludes, is submitted upon the assumption that arrangements aviU be made for tho capital necessary for~carrying out the recommendations being advanced by the Imperial Government at a rate of interest satisfactory to Parliament, and that a sinking fund Avill be provided foi the ultimate extinction of the loan. If such arrangements cannot be made, it is obvious that parts only of such scheme could be carried out by the colony, and tlym only by spreading the necessary capital expenditure over a number of years. If tha colony has to undertake the work Avithout assistance from the Imperial Government, the committee submits for consideration the alternative of completing the fortifications of, say, only two ports in the colony. The scheme submitted to Parliament by the Premier and Defence Minister in July, ,1900, has been taken as the basis of the present report. The capital cost of carrying out the improvement of the defence recomn: ended Avould be, approximately, £373,428, and the annual extra cost to tho colony in reject of such improved defence, including interest and sinking fund, would be £59,303. SOME DETAILS. The schedules attached to the report give the expenditure proposed for the different ports as folio >.o: — Westport, £17,812; Auckland, £31,252; Wellington, £27,248; Lyttelton, £37,888; Dunedin, £5355—a total of £119,556. In addition, it is proposed to spend £12,000 on a submarine boat, workshops, water supply, etc. ; £30,000 in three field batteries of artillery, £10,000 on ammunition, and £9/2 on harness; £3200 for eight Maxim guns; £105,000 on 30,000 rifles and accoutrements ; £40,000 for extra ammunition for Maxims and small arms, £10,000 for extra tents arid camp equipment; £15,000 for overcoats and waterproof sheets ; £10,000 c.i. land for rifle ranges, butts, etc. ; jPIOOQ on medical equipment; £8000 on cadet corps ; £7000 for extra submarine mining boat; £1500 on pinnaces. Of the £105,000 required for rifles, it is climated that about £42,000 Avould be recouped upou sale of 12,000 stand of arms, etc., to members of rifle clubs. Tho extra annual cost, estimated at £59,303, is appropriated as follows :■ — Extra capitation, £25,600; Imperial Reserve, £5000 ; extra ammunition for batteries, £750; for small arms, £7200; rifle ranges, £3000; headquarters' staff, £1500 j district headquarters' staff at four centres, £1050 ; training of volunteers and reserve, £3000; schools of instruction, £1000 ; annual interest on capital proposed to be advanced by Im-1-vrial Government, say at 3 per cent., including sinking fund, £11,203. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. Mr. Stevens considered the report a very able one, and that if it were acted upon Arc would be taking a step in the right direction. The report, however, had made no mention of the means whereby horses were to bo provided for t^e purpose of equipping mounted and artillery corps, lie would move a resohu.on to the effect that the Government be directed to institute some means by which farmers and graziers could obtain the services of suitable sire"} at the lowest possible cost in order to enable them to produce the best breed of horses for military purposes. The Premier saw the importance of the suggestion, but suggested postponement of the matter until the report came up for debate. In the course of a.v informal discussion, acknowledgement was made of the valuable services rendered the committee by Colonel Pitt, and the Premier intimated that in order that the report -might ha\c every publicity, he Avas having it telegraphed to all the newspapers in the colony. The report was laid on the table, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Government for consideration.