xl. New Zealand Institute. 



mines, where applicable ; that arrangements be made for utilizing for 

 purposes of Avar the fine merchant-steamers which are capable of being 

 so turned to account ; and that the land and naval forces of the colony 

 be reorganized, so as to fit them for the duties they would have to per- 

 form if called upon for actual service. 



It may, however — and not unreasonably — be inquired, " But how 

 much will all this cost ? " Well, not so large a sum as many suppose. 

 The whole thing could be done for a capital sum of £400,000. Of 

 course, there would also be some annual expenditure, in addition to 

 that at present incurred, for maintenance, for ammunition and stores, 

 and for the pay of officers and men. I cannot now say what this 

 would amount to, but it would not be large. 



Now, I venture to think that, considering the interests at stake, 

 the capital sum I have named is a moderate price to pay for the benefit 

 it will purchase. Not to mention the amount of the local commerce 

 of the colony, the value of the cities to be defended is probably about 

 thirty millions sterling. The loss which would be occasioned by one 

 attack would far exceed the outlay which would have prevented it; 

 and the degradation to which it would subject the country is beyond my 

 power to estimate. 



New Zealand, however, at present expends scarcely anything for 

 the purpose of resisting foreign aggression, whilst that of other 

 States, whose revenue, and imports and exports combined, are about 

 the same as hers, is very considerable. For instance, in 1882 the 

 naval expenditure alone of the Argentine Republic was upwards of 

 £120,000 ; that of Chili, £244,000 (peace expenditure) ; that of 

 Greece, with a revenue of about £1,600,000 and a commerce of less 

 than seven millions sterling, was £133,000. I know that the cir- 

 cumstances of these States are, in many respects, different from those 

 of New Zealand, and I do not advocate that she should enter into 

 competition with them. I do, however, venture to suggest that she 

 should not rest content in her present unprotected condition. It is 

 not only impolitic, but rash, for her to remain in a passive, defence- 

 less state, unprepared to resist aggression, trusting to the forbearance 

 of any Power possessing the means of attack. 



The necessary measures should be taken gradually and delibe- 

 rately, and should not be deferred for spasmodic action, at a time of 

 panic, when steps would be hurriedly taken, which would surely lead 

 to useless expenditure, and would, moreover, not effect their object. 

 New Zealand is no longer in her infancy, but in the full vigour of 

 youth, and I am sure that her people — vital as the question is to 

 them — are prepared to incur the burden and the responsibility of 

 their defence. 



