THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON COLONIAL DEFENCES.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1790, 15 November 1879, Page 3

THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON COLONIAL DEFENCES.

Tho “ London Gazette ” states that the Queen has been pleased to issue a Commission under her Majesty’s Royal Sign Manual to the effect following : “Victoria by the grace of God of tho United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of tho Eaith, to our right-trusty and right well-beloved cousin and Councillor Henry Howard Molyneux, Earl of Carnarvon; our right-trusty and wellbeloved Councillor Hugh Culling Eardley Childers; our.trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Thurstan Holland, Bart., Knight Commander of our most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George ; our trusty and well-beloved Sir Alexander Milne, Bart., Knight Grand Cross of our most Honorable Order of the Bath, Admiral in our Navy; our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons, Knight Grand Cross of our most Honorable Order of the Bath, General in our Army, Inspector General of Fortifications and Director of Works ; our trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Barkly, Knight Grand Cross of our most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Knight Commander of our most Honorable Order of the Bath; our trusty and well-beloved Thomas Brassey, Esq., and our trusty and well-bi loved Robert George Crookshank Hamilton, Esq., Accountant General of our Navy and Comptroller of Navy Pay. “ Whereas we have thought it expedient for divers good causes and considerations, that a commission should forthwith issue to inquire into the condition and sufficiency of the means, both naval and military, provided for the defence of the more important seaports within our colonial possessions and their dependencies, andjof the stations established or required within our said possessions and dependencies for coaling, refitting, or repairing the ships of our navy, and for the protection of the commerce of our colonies within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with each other, and with foreign countries.

“ And whereas it is expedient to consider and determine in which of our stations and ports it is desirable, on account of their strategical or commercial importance, to provide an organised system of defence, in addition to such general protection as can be afforded by our naval forces : and whether such defence should consist of permanent works manned by garrisons of Imperial or local troops, or both combined, or of any local troops, or both combined, or of any local naval organisation or other armaments and appliances.

“ And whereas it is considered desirable to consider whether, and in what proportions, the cost of such measures of defence should be divided between the Imperial Government and the colonies to which they relate, or should bo wholly defrayed by the Imperial Government or by the colonies.

“ How know ye that we, reposing great trust and confidence in yonr zsal, knowledge, and ability, have authorised and appointed, and do by these presents authorise and appoint you, the said Henry Howard Molyneux, Earl of Carnarvon, Hugh Culling Eardley Childers, Sir Henry Thurstan Holland, Sir Alexander Milne, Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons, Sir Henry Barkly, Thomas Braesoy, and Robert George Crookshank Hamilton to be our Commissioners for the purpose of such inquiries as aforesaid, and that you may offer such suggestions as may seem to you meet as to the best means (regard being had to the works completed and in progress, and to the ordinary number of our naval and military forces voted by Parliament), of providing for the defence and protection of our colonial possessions and commerce as aforesaid, special attention being given to the necessity of providing safe coaling, refitting, and repairing stations in such of our colonial possessions and their dependencies as you may deem best suited for the requirements of our fleet and mercantile marine in time of war. “ And for the Vetter enabling you to carry these our intentions into effect, we do hereby authorise and empower you, or any three or more of you, to call for, have access to, and examine all plans and designs for all works of defence now in progress or under onr consideration, or any other plans or designs that may be laid before you for the same object. “ And we give and grant to you, or any three or more of you, full power and authority to call before you such persons in our civil, military, or naval services, or others connected with our colonial possessions, as you shall judge likely to afford you the best and fullest information upon the subject of this our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and moans whatsoever.

“ And we do by these presents will and ordain that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, our said Commissioners, or any three er more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. “ And our further will and pleasure is that you, our said Commissioners, or any three or more of you, upon due inquiry into the premises, do report to us in writing, under your hands and seals, your several proceedings, under and by virtue of this Commission, together with what you shall find touching or concerning the premises. “And we further ordain that you, or any three or more of you, may have liberty to report to us your proceedings under this Commission from time to time, should you judge it expedient so to do. “ And for your assistance in the due execution of these presents, we have made choice of our trusty and well-beloved Herbert Jekyll, Esq., a captain in our corps of Royal Engineers, to be secretary to this our Commission, and to attend you, whose services and assistance we require you to avail yourselves of from time to time, as occasion may require.” In reference to this subject the “ Morning Post” says:—“A Royal Commission, under the presidency of Dord Carnarvon, has lately been appointed to inquire and report on the question of colonial defence. We are inclined to think that as the Commission proceeds with its labors, it will find itself insensibly drawn' into the great question of Imperial defence, for our empire must stand or fall as a whole when attacked. Wo must make-up our minds to have an organised empire. When the Russian cruisers were in American waters last year the officers informed the officers of the United States navy that when war broke out their intention was to devote all their attention to the Canadian mercantile fleet, and so to burn and destroy these ships on their peaceful missions as to force Canada to separate from England and to hoist another flag. This is very important information, and will no doubt bo so considered by the commission; but wo are inclined to agree with Colonel Arbuthnot, who is devoting much attention to the subject, that in a case of this nature leading Canadians should ba on the commission, and the Empire should learn what they would have to say about the cruel determination of the Russian officers. We should also have to learn what leading men in Australia and New Zealand would have to say on such matters. At any rate, a commencement has been made in an investigation of vital importance to the empire, and in noticing this movement it would not be kind to omit the names of its originators. They are Captain Oolomb, R.M A, ; Colonel

Arbuthnot, M.P. ; tftd Mr T. Brassoy, M P., in England ; togethei'with Sir Edward Selby Smyth and LioutenarA-Colonel T. Bland Strange, R.A., in Canada.” The “ Globe” thinks the? abovenamed commissioners form a fairly representative body, who may be expected to address themselves to the' important task confided to their charge with impartiality and sound judgment. The scope of inquiry—for which the public are not a little indebted to the zeal of Colonel Arbuthnot—covers a very wide field, and the Commissioners will not, therefore, be likely to come to the end of their labours for a considerable time. All plans and designs for colonial defensive works now in progress or under consideration are to be closely examined, a» well as any others that may be brought forward during the progress of the inquiry. Not the least important part of the investigation is to be an attentive consideration of our coaling stations beyond the seas with regard to Imperial as as well ns colonial exigencies. Owing to the substitution of steam power for sails, a widespread empire such as ours imperatively needs efficient depots of fuel all over the world. Fortunately, the very circumstance that creates this necessity— namely, the scattering of our colonics and dependencies enables us to meet it without much difficulty. Wherever there is a British port with reasonable landing facilities, there a coaling station may bo established. We have a considerable number of these already, but hero and there a link is missing, and it will be for the Commissioners to say how this may best be supplied. In the same way with regard to the defences of such ports and harbors, as well as of the chief colonial cities on the seaboard, it will bo their mission to give comprehensiveness and coherence to what they find in existence by adding to the general plan, whatever may ba wanting for thorough efficiency. In a word, the design is to systematise the whole defences of the Empire, so that in the event of any emergency each part would be strong enough to make a good defence until assistance arrived from unassailed quarters.