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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 4

The letter of Mrs. Aldis, appearing in our correspondence columns to-day, may suit the people having an order of mind corresponding to her own ; but we fear that it will fail to evoke a response from the general community. It would, of course, be of immense advantage if society everywhere could be brought into that condition in which it could dispense with armies, and all disputes be settled by canons recognised by the spirit of peace. But the time for that millennium is not yet. Nor does it appear that the influence of that eclectic Christianity which Mrs. Aldis advocates possesses any great potentiality for effecting a speedy realisation of that universal forbearance so ardently longed for ; for, among its special devotees, there is not, as a rule, much of that disposition to defer to the opinions and claims advanced and . urged by i those who differ from their peculiar views of men and things. All society is, in fact, framed on a system of defence or protection, for the simple reason that those who are disposed to yield rather than enter upon any contention are liable to be overborne by those who are strongly self-assertive and indisposed to abate their pretensions. This is the origin of our systems of law, of police, and of armies, which are only police organisations on a larger scale, and- having a more 'special direction. It may be that the •necessity for this more special form of protection is not very urgent in this colony. But at one time in its history the same could be said of its police organisation; and, we -fear that, if this force were reduced to the limits and moderate display of former days, the .necessity for its increase, and a more rigorous exercise of authority, would find a 'supporter even in Mrs. Aldis. It would probably be even maintained" that this necessity might have been foreseen, and ought to have been provided for, by the •State. In the same way, though we have hitherto enjoyed a comparative immunity from any danger of being threatened by an external foe. the change that has recently passed over the political condition of this part of the world renders such a danger not only a possible but a very likely thing ; and the authorities of the colony would be chargeable with treason to its interests were they to neglect the precautions thus made imperative. The expediency which every individual of the State finds for the fencing in of his dwelling, and the guarding against unwelcome intrusion, the authorities of the State must recognise and act on with respect to the whole nation. And, though in certain moods of mind such precautions may appear foolish and incalled for, the prosaic conviction yet returns, and we all attend to them never* theless. ' It is one and the same feeling that causes individuals to bolt their doors and set their watchdogs, and induces States to build forts and organise armies. Such things would not be if all other things wore as they should be ; but this "if " is more potential than all our theorisings, and practically settles the whole business. This, however, need not prevent us from striving to bring about a state of things in which neither men nor nations would distrust or have any quarrel with their neighbours.