i " bx 
Anniversary Address. XXXIX. 
I shall be happy to supply, or to obtain if I cannot supply, any 
information that may be required with a view of carrying out this 
proposal. 
It is obvious that the several measures which I have recom- Eficient land 
mended will be of no avail without efficient laud and sea forces. If vereri je 
the works for the defence of the principal ports are to fulfil their 
purpose, the batteries must be well manned and there must be proper 
garrisons for them. The discipline of the field-forces and of the 
forces generally, and their ability to act against an enemy, can only 
be acquired by proper and sufficient training. Officers commanding 
at each place should have a clear view as to what they would have to 
do in ease of attack. For the handling of vessels of war and the 
working of their armaments, amongst other requirements, a know- 
ledge of gunnery is essential. Again, the application of torpedoes 
requires skill, which can only be obtained by men who give special 
attention to that department of defence. 
Major-General Scratchley entered into the subject of the organi- 
zation of the forces in much detail, and since his visit, though not 
according to his suggestions, some action was taken in the matter. 
Generally speaking, however, the whole arrangement of the military 
and naval forces of the colony should be gone into with reference to 
the duties which each section would have to perform in case of war, 
and the organization which is necessary to resist foreign aggression 
should harmonize with that which is essential for internal defence. 
I may remark that this would be much facilitated by the completion 
of railway communication throughout the North Island. 
I have not time now, and, if I had, it would be out of place for 
me to discuss the details of these matters. I may, however, say that 
it appears to me that one of the first steps to be taken here should 
be to obtain the services of an officer of the army as commandant, with 
a staff-officer under him, to manage matters relating to the land 
forces. Of these, one should be a Royal Artilleryman. An officer 
of the Navy should also be appointed to deal with naval organization 
and naval questions generally; and, if no better arrangement can be 
made, it is desirable that he should be selected with a view to his 
taking charge of business relating to submarine mines and locomotive 
torpedoes. There is abundance of military and naval spirit in this 
country, but efficient organization is essential, in order that it may 
be turned to the best account. 
To recapitulate. I recommend that the principal cities and ports Recapitula. | 
of New Zealand shall be defended by land batteries and submarine clusion, 
