AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8626, 16 October 1889, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

MAJOR-GENERAE EDWARDS'

REPORT,

By Klkotbio Telegraph.—Copyright,

(Per Press Association.)

Melbourne, October 15. (Received October 15, at 1.35 p.m.)

The report of Major-general Edwards on the defenses of Australia has been published. He considers that the Australian colonies offer a rich and tempting prize to a hostile country, and says that if they had to rely on their own resources as regards defence they would certainly be called upou to fight for their independence. Without cohesion of power and combination their position is one of great danger. He recommends the federation of the military forces, and to effect this New South Wales and Victoria should each furnish three brigades, and South Australia and Queensland one each. A lieu-tenant-general should be appointed, whose duties would be to inspect these brigades in time of peace, and to command them should war break out. The brigades, he considers, should be stationed to protect the coast line from Brisbane to Adelaide. He favours the adoption of a system of partially paid forces, provided that the conditions of' service are as stringent as those now in existence in Victoria. He would also give each of the colonies a force sufficient for present requirements. Majorgeneral Edwards considers it most necessary to have a uniform railway gauge, and that no general defence should ba undertaken unless distant points are connected by rail. Perth and. Port Darwin, he says, offer a menace to Australia by reason of their isolated positions. The isolated position of Tasmania was even more dangerous, and in time of war it might be found necessary to send troops there to defend it. The numerous harbours of Tasmania offered every convenience as coal depots for an enemy. He also recommends a uniform system of organisation of armament for common defence, the amalgamation of forces into frontier -jorps, the establishment of a federal military college, the extension of lifle clubs, the establishment of a federal small arms factory, and a gun wharf and ordnance "store. In conclusion, he says that, looking at the present situation in Europe, the defences of the colonies should at once be placed on a proper footing. (Received October 16, at 1 a.m.)

Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier, in a circular j letter to the other colonies asking for a conference to meet to consider and carry out Major-general Edwards' recommendation for a federal army, emphasises the latter's reference to united action being taken with' out delay. (Peb United Fbess Association, i Auckland, October 15,

Major-general Edwards arrived to-day from Sydney by the Hauroto. He was met by the Defence Minister, Colonel Humfrey, Captain Leroy, and Colonel Shepherd. Major-general Edwardß will inspect the volunteers to-morrow.