H.—6k

2

Enclosure. Sir,— War Office, London, S.W., 2nd October, 1899. In view of the many offers of troops for co-operation with Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa which have been made, either officially by Colonial Governments on behalf of their colonies, or unofficially by officers and gentlemen on behalf of bodies of men whom they know to be willing to serve, the Secretary of State for War will be obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies will express to both the Governments and the individuals concerned his gratification at the fact that such offers have been made. The Secretary of State for War and the Commander-in-Chief highly appreciate this signal exhibition of the patriotic spirit by which Her Majesty's colonial subjects are animated. Lord Landsdowne would also submit for transmission to the proper quarters such information as may assist in the organization of the troops thus offered into units, suitable to the military requirements of the situation. Such requirements and the conditions necessary to fulfil them can best be indicated in outline, leaving details for further consideration and arrangement. Organization and. Arms. .1. The troops should be organized into units of about 125 men. 2. The units may consist of either infantry, mounted infantry, or cavalry. In view of the numbers of these arms already available, infantry will be of most and cavalry of least service. 3. All should be armed with -303 rifles or carbines. 4. All troops must provide their own equipment, and mounted troops their own horses. 5. Not more than one captain and three subalterns should accompany each unit. Where more than one unit is despatched from a single colony, the whole force from that colony may be commanded by a major. But no officer of a higher rank should be despatched. Total numbers that can be employed : In considering this question Lord Landsdowne has been guided by the nature of the offers already made by the colonies, by a desire that each should be fairly represented, and by the limits which must necessarily be imposed on such a force if it is to be fully utilised under the staff at our disposal as an integral portion of Her Majesty's forces in South Africa. The Government of two colonies, namely, of Queensland and of New Zealand, have respectively 250 and 200 men. Lord Landsdowne accepts these offers with gratitude; and in accordance with the requirements of organization already outlined, suggests that they should be organized in such ca,se into companies of 125 and 100 men respectively. So far there have been no offers from the Governments of other colonies ; but Lord Landsdowne has been given to understand that 1,260 men are anxious to volunteer from New South Wales, about 1,000 from Victoria, about 300 from South Australia, 50 from Hongkong, and 300 from the Malay States. Lord Landsdowne does not see his way to accepting the offers from Hongkong and the Malay States, but from New South Wales and Victoria he would be glad to accept from each colony two units of 125 men each, and from South Australia one unit of 125 men. From Canada no definite offer has, as yet, reached Lord Landsdowne, but he understands that 1,200 men are anxious to volunteer. From Canada Lord Landsdowne would be glad to accept four units of 125 men each. If these suggestions are accepted the numbers would be : From Queensland, 250; from New Zealand, 200 ; from New South Wales, 250; from Victoria, 250; from South Australia, 125 ; from Canada, 500: total, 1,575. Conditions of pay, pension, transport, &c.: Whilst noting the generous offer by the Government of New Zealand to furnish pay in addition to transport, Lord Landsdowne is of opinion that the same conditions should be applied in the case of each colony, namely: Every colonial force to be landed at the port of debarkation in South Africa fully equipped at the cost of the Colonial Government or other body furnishing the force. The Imperial Government to provide from that date pay at Imperial rates, supplies, and ammunition, and to defray the cost of transport back to the colony when the services of the force are no longer required. Wound pensions and compassionate allowances to be paid by the Imperial Government at Imperial rates. Date of embarkation and provisional destination : All such forces should, if possible, embark not later than 31st October, and should proceed directly to Capetown for orders. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. R. H. Knox.

Government House, Wellington (Unaddressed and undated). Referring to my telegram of 11th October : Regimental transport should accompany units possessing it: Full equipment comprises following, which should accompany each unit if possible : All personal equipment, including clothing, arms, and accoutrements, camp equipment, two blankets, one waterproof sheet per man in case of mounted troops; saddlery, stable equipment, picketing gear. Supplies accompanying Imperial troops will be sufficient for supplying deficiencies in equipment of colonial forces. Earliest possible probable deficiencies would be very useful for War Office. Ranfurly.

t Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. The Governor begs to inform the Premier that he has received from His Excellency the Administrator, Brisbane, a cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to be sent round the Australasian Colonies, that the Colonial Forces may be held to be, from the date of embarkation, serving with part of the regular Forces, within the meaning of " The Army Act, 1881," section 177. Ranfurly.