3

A.—7

The garrisons should consist in each case of a small body of permanent troops to keep the guns, torpedoes, mines, and other warlike stores in effective order at all times; to perfect themselves in their use by constant practice, and to assist also in training the main body of defenders, who would be Volunteers residing in the immediate vicinity of the harbours to be defended. In addition to these Volunteers, some organization is needed for expanding and replenishing the garrisons in case of war; and, further, the small bodies of Volunteers before referred to are needed at each of the minor ports for their protection against insult. It has been urged that an enemy might land a large body of troops at some convenient minor harbour, not far distant from one of the principal ports, and so attack that port by land, and turn the sea defences, and, consequently, that a sufficient land force should always be kept up to resist such an invasion. Without denying that such an attack would be possible, it may nevertheless be pointed out that an expedition on the scale contemplated would be a great undertaking, considering the long sea voyage from the nearest base which an enemy could use, and that it could not be carried out without such preparations as would give timely warning of the intention, and corresponding time for counter preparations. Moreover, before an enemy could undertake such an operation, he must have command of the sea to insure the security of his communications. Against this latter essential condition being fulfilled, we must assume that the naval resources of the Empire would give security, when the colonial addition to the fleet in these waters, now in contemplation, has been provided. It is, however, unquestionably of great importance that every encouragement should be given to the young men of New Zealand to practice rifle-shooting, the most essential, and by far the most difficult, part of the training of the infantry soldier. With a large body of young men so trained, past experience shows that in times of emergency the military forces of New Zealand might be rapidly increased to any extent that might be required. The formation of rifle clubs throughout the colony should therefore be encouraged by the supply of rifles and ammunition, and by prizes for shooting, which latter should be mainly for squad-firing rather than for individual shooting, as the former is of far greater military value than the latter. The existing military organization of New Zealand has grown up by degrees under the stress of former military necessities. It is unsuited to the present needs of the colony, and the absolute necessity for retrenchment of expenditure in all departments of the Government, which has been unanimously expressed, makes it imperative that the required military reorganization should be at once undertaken with the double object of making the defence effective, and of reducing expenditure to the lowest possible point. The military forces of the colony now consist of a Permanent Militia and a Volunteer Force. The Permanent Militia numbers— Artillery ... ... ... ... 165 Engineers ... ... ... ... 21 Torpedomen ... ■ ... ... ... 50 Eifles ... ... ... ... 107 Total ... ... ... 343, including officers. The Volunteers are divided under the following heads : — Cavalry and mounted infantry ... ... ... ... 866 Artillery (garrison, field, and naval) ... ... ... 1,997 Engineers ... ... ... ... ... ... 165 Infantry ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,305 Infantry (honorary) ... ... ... ... ... 70 Cadets ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,038 Total ... ■ ... ... ... 11,441 A large proportion of these Volunteers are country corps, far removed from the harbours to be defended, and who therefore are not now required, except under the remote contingency of an invasion above referred to. Under the present financial condition of the colony it is out of the question that these corps should be maintained. After studying carefully the system of defence which has been decided upon at each of the four ; principal harbours, and having had the advantage of consulting with the Officer Commanding the : Forces and his staff, I have come to the conclusion that the existing permanent force cannot ■ advantageously be reduced in number at present. When all the guns and other war material now ordered shall have been mounted and placed in position, as will now very shortly be the case, a permanent force, consisting of 252 non-commissioned officers and men, will be required to keep them in good order and to form the nucleus of the defence force. I should propose to unite them in one body, called the "Coast Brigade," and embracing within its ranks a due proportion of artillerymen, torpedomen, submarine miners, signalmen, testers, electricians, engineers, and otherartificers, and that they should be divided into four detachments, localised at the four points in about the following proportions, exclusive of officers : — Artillery. Torpedo. Total. Auckland ... ... 68 ... ... 19 ... ... 87 Wellington ... ... 58 ... ... 21 ... ... 79 Lyttelton ... ... 32 ... ... 6 ... ... 38 Dunedin ... ... 40 ... ... 8 ... ... 48 Totals ... ... 198 ... ... 54 ... ... 252

Defence forces now required.

Improbability of invasion.

Bifle clubs.

Present military organization.

Country corps.

Number of permanent force required.

The Coast Brigade.