H.—No. 9

Report by the Committees of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives, sitting in Conference, on tho Defence of the Colony. 1. The Committees of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives on tho Defence of the Colony having met in Conference, and had scientific reports on the best means of defence against external aggression submitted by the Government, and having examined witnesses, both on the subject of the external and internal defence of the Colony, beg to report as follows : — External Defence. 2. This part of the subject has been considered both as regards the Coast or Harbour Defences which have been recommended by Colonel Jervois and Captain Hutton, and the improvement of tho existing means of defence at the command of the Colony. 3. The Committees are of opinion, in terms of their Interim Report, that, on account of the large outlay necessary in order to carry out efficiently the recommendations of Colonel Jervois and Captain Hutton, and considering the extent of seaboard to be protected, it is not expedient, with the means at the disposal of the Government, that any expenditure be incurred in that direction for the present. 4. The only existing means of defence against external aggression consist of the various forces throughout the Colony. It is not probable that any large force will ever come to New Zealand for the purpose of attack, but it seems desirable that the local forces should be in so efficient a state as to be able to repel an attack by any small force or privateer which might visit our harbours for the purpose of plunder. 5. With that view, Volunteer Corps should be organized and maintained, where they can readily be made available for the protection of the seaports ; the force to consist of Naval Companies and Artillery and Rifle Volunteers. The Naval Corps should be composed of seafaring men, accustomed to boat service, who should be trained as artillerymen as well as to the use of small arms. Special attention should be given towards increasing the greater efficiency of Artillery Corps ; as far as practicable the Rifle Corps should be drilled in the use of Artillery. Internal Defence. 6. The means at command for the purpose of internal defence are—Ist, the Armed Constabulary; 2nd, the Militia; and 3rd, the Volunteer Corps. 7. With the view to the better management of matters relating to the pay, discipline, and general efficiency of the Colonial Forces of all arms, the Committee would recommend the reorganization of the General Staff of tho Colony, as follows, viz.:— 1 Colonel-Commandant, who should be the medium of all communications between the Defence Minister, or the Government, and the heads of Military Departments. 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, Adjutant-General and Military Secretary. 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, Quartermaster-General and Colonial Storekeeper. 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, Paymaster-General and Military Accountant. 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, Inspecting Field Officer of the Colonial Forces, with necessary clerical assistance. 8. The Committee recommend that the Armed Constabulary should, as early as possible, be organized as follows : — 2 Inspectors Ist Class. 8 Inspectors 2nd Class. 1 Sub-Inspector Ist Class, Adjutant and Musketry Instructor. 10 Sub-Inspectors Ist Class. 10 Sub-Inspectors 2nd Class. 6 Medical men. 50 Sergeants Ist Class. 50 Sergeants 2nd Class. 900 Constables. 9. That the above non-commissioned officers and men should be enlisted for a period of five years; a discharge may be granted upon receiving one month's notice, and upon payment to the General Government of a sum of £20 ; and to be engaged to serve under the provisions of the Militia Act of 1870, the Mutiny Act, and Articles of War, and such other rules and regulations as are now or may hereafter be in force for the better government of Her Majesty's Forces. 10. It is recommended that the pay at present issued to non-commissioned officers and men of that force be altered as follows :— Ist Class Sergeants 6s. per day. 2nd Class Sergeants ss. per day. Constables, whether mounted or on foot, 4s. per day. When m the field or on Public Works duty, all ranks to have Is. per diem extra pay. 11. It is recommended that no man shall be enlisted under the ago of eighteen or over the age of twenty-five years; and that all officers commanding detachments of Armed Constabulary, and

Harbour Defences. Existing means of defence, General Staff. Armed Constabulary. Pay. Enlistment,

REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL DEFENCE.