XXIV. 



New Zealand Institute. 



New Zealand. The defence of an anchorage in Torres Straits, and 

 of a harbour in the Fiji Islands, is a]so 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, and 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- 

 tack to which 

 Australasian 

 Colonies are 

 liable. 



With respect to the nature of attack to which these colonies are 

 liable in the event of Great Britain being at war with a foreign naval 

 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 



