Federal Defence.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 106, 24 September 1901, Page 4

Federal Defence.

Mklbocrnb, September 21, The report of the Colonial Defencd Committee in London on Australasian defence has beon tabled in the Federal Parliament. It sets out thai; the maintenance of British supremacy at aea is the first con* dition of security for Australasian terri 1 tory and trade in time of war. No territory is so little liab'e to hostile raids from foreign cruisers so long as British naval supremacy is maintained. In indicating the measures of defence* the committee put, first'y, a weft o ganised military force with long range weaponsand smokeless powder; secondly! fully garrisoned shore batteries and sub* marine fields ; thirdly, an adequate fi«ld force. Exception is talcen to the nucleus of permanent troops The' committee considers thar. the military forces should connst partially of paid troops. The adoption of the magazine rifle is assumed* The Federal Government is advised to secure at once large reserves of ammuni. tiori. Stress is laid on the of an interchange of military units with England*

The report of the Commonwealth Military l J ay Committee hag also bem tabled. The ssale of pay of the Permanent Foroes recommended ranges from £ISOO a year for the Major General, down to 2i 6d and 3* 61 per day for privates and gunners. The pay of the permanent naval forc«B has been decided on ft military basis. For military forces 8s ft day is recommended as the lowest rate of pay-