xxiv. New Zealand Institute, 
New Zealand. The defence of an anchorage in Torres Straits, and 
of a harbour in the Fiji Islands, is also of common interest, both to 
this colony and to the Eastern Australian Colonies. Again, New 
Zealand is, as it were, an advanced shield to the south-eastern part 
of Australia, and this is the more important in view of the proba- 
bility of canal communication being opened by the Isthmus of 
Panama. The harbours to the northward, the southward, aud the 
centre of this colony are advantageously situated as centres for the 
naval defence of Australasia. If unprotected, however, they become 
bases for attack upon Tasmania, Victoria, or New South Wales. 
The defence of these harbours is therefore not only of importance 
to the places themselves and to the colony to which they belong, but 
has a considerable bearing upon the defence of Australasia generally. 
There is, perhaps, no harbour in Australasia more suitable as a centre 
for naval defence than Auckland. 
It will then be readily understood that it is most desirable that 
all the Australasian Colonies should unite to carry out defences in 
which all are interested, making an arrangement by which each would 
bear its fair share of the expense. Each colony in Australia is now 
engaged in carrying out a plan for its own protection ; but there are 
matters relating to the general defence of the whole of Australasia 
which would be best dealt with by combined action. Unity of organi- 
zation, and especially measures required for general naval protection 
which are common to the whole of these colonies, can only be carried 
out under federal arrangement. So far as defence is concerned, New. 
Zealand is probably more interested than any other Australasian 
Colony in the question of federation. 
In the absence, however, of any such organization, each colony 
must do what is necessary for its own defence, taking care at the 
same time that, as far as possible, its separate action shall harmonize 
with any future joint concert with its neighbours which may arise in 
the course of events. 
Nature of at- — With respect to the nature of attack to which these colonies are 
Australasian liable in the event of Great Britain being at war with a foreign naval 
liable, Power, I have often pointed out, on previous occasions, elsewhere, 
that there is no probability of an expedition on any extensive scale 
being despatched against Australia. In the improbable event of 
Great Britain ceasing to hold the command of the seas, such an 
expedition might perhaps be undertaken with a view of sub- 
jugating the colonies and finally annexing them. The very ex- 
istence of the British Empire, however, depends upon her naval 
supremacy, and the question must obviously be considered on 
