H.—27b

12

express its loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty the Queen and its sympathy with Her Majesty's Government in the difficulties which have arisen in South Africa, and is of opinion that Western Australia should co-operate with the other Colonies of Australia in despatching a military force to the Transvaal."

No. 50.—New South Wales. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor Earl Beauchamp. (Extract from telegram sent 12.25 p.m., 18th October, 1899.) Referring to your telegram of 11th October (No. 29), Secretary of State for War, after consultation with military authorities, regrets that it is impossible to accept field battery.

No. 51.—Western Australia. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor Sir Gerard Smith. (Telegram sent 2.45 p.m., 18th October, 1899.) Her Majesty's Government have learnt with much satisfaction resolution passed by Legislative Council (No. 49).

No. 52. —Canada. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor-General the Earl of Minto. (Telegram sent 6.5 p.m., 18th October, 1899.) [Answered by No. 55.] For guidance of military authorities, following equipment should accompany troops if possible, namely : All personal equipment, including clothing, arms and accoutrements, tents, 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 information of probable deficiencies would be very useful to War Office. Regimental transport should accompany troops possessing it, also machine-guns, with equipment complete, provided total number of personnel already arranged will not be exceeded. Early notification requested if machine-gun section is to be included, also as to names of ships, date of departure, and probable date of arrival at Capetown.

No. 53. —Canada. Governor-General the Earl of Minto to Mr. Chamberlain. (Extract from telegram received midnight, 18th October, 1899.) After full consideration my Ministers have decided to offer a regiment of infantry, 1,000 strong, under command of Lieut.-Colonel Otter. My Ministers hope that Canadian Gontingent will be kept together as much as possible, but realise that this must be left to discretion of War Office and Commander-in-Chief.

No. 54. —Canada. Governor-General the Earl of Minto to Mr. Chamberlain. (Telegram received 8.5 a.m., 19th October, 1899.) [Answered by No. 61.] Many Militia medical captains and lieutenants, also trained female nurses, volunteer as auxiliaries to Medical Staff Corps in South Africa, on usual scale of pay given to auxiliary aid. Dominion of Canada will give free transport with contingent if its services would be acceptable. Engagement for six months or twelve months. Two female nurses offered at expense of Canadian Red Cross Society ; shall I send them ?

No. 55.—Canada. Governor-General the Earl of Minto to Mr. Chamberlain. (Telegram received 8.5 a.m., 19th October, 1899.) In reply to your telegram of to-day's date (No. 52), please inform War Office troops will be provided with personal equipment, clothing, arms and accoutrements, tents, camp equipment, blankets, and waterproof sheets ; ammunition, 100,000 rounds. No deficiencies probable. No regimental transport exists. Two machine-guns complete accompany regiment, but no draught horses. Ship probably "Sardinian," Allan line; date of departure, 31st October; probable passage, three to four weeks.

No. 56.—Queensland. Lieutenant-Governor Sir S. W. Griffith to Mr. Chamberlain. (Telegram received 8.26 a.m., 19th October, 1899.) [Answered by No. 57.] Referring to my telegram of 14th October (No. 42), vote of censure defeated by thirty-nine to twenty-eight. Despatch of troops sanctioned by Legislative Assembly unanimously. Contingent embarks for South Africa steamship "Cornwall " about 30th October; arrival expected South Africa 26th November.