NEW SOUTH WALES DEFENCES

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 107, 2 November 1900, Page 5

NEW SOUTH WALES DEFENCES

<J , THE COMMITTEE AND THE COM* MANDzVNT. [press association,] SYDNEY, lsb November. Mr. R. Sleath, Chairman of the Military Enquiry Committee, presented a special report to the Legislative Assembly to-day, dealing with the refusal of the Commandant of the Forces to answer certain questions. He moved that a certain question was a lawful one, and should have been answered. Sir William Lyne, the Premier, said that complaints had been made that colonial Governments had given information which the Imperial .Government thought should not have been divulged, with regard to plans of forts aud guns of position. The, Commandant 'was quite right to refuse information if he thought it would disclose the defences of the c6lony, but that did not apply to the question under notice. He had now been instructed in writing, and the Premier was sure he would give the answers required. The Executive would take ,all responsibility. It was 1 to the interest of the colony that the question should be answered. The whole .world would then know that the colony was- in a sta{;e of complete preparedness. A Jong debate followed on the question of whether the military authorities' were subordinate to Parliament or obedient to the Imperial authorities only. Sir William Lyne said p he question was important, and he intended to submit it to the Imperial Government, and have the whole matter definitely settled. Miv Hogue moved an amendment "That while the question asked the Commandant was lawful, the House, having regard to the interest of the colony .and the efficiency of the /military service, considers it ouglfb not to be answered." Mr. Hughes moved a further amendment, " That the House declares the sole control of the military forces to be vested in the jesponsib'e Minister." The Assembly is etill discussing th^ matter. . , *