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- Efficient ian4 

 mended will be of no avail without efficient land and sea forces. If essential. 010 

 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 case 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 Eecapituia- 

 of New Zealand shall be defended by land batteries and submarine elusion. 



