THE New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1891.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9317, 11 June 1891, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY).

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1891.

With which are incorporated the WeVinyton Independent established 1845, and the New Zealander,

The ultimate fate of our defence system may to some minds seem a matter of small importance. That it wants reform, however, few will be disposed to deny. We do not purpose entering on the question of our costly fortifications, or our expensive great guns, about the practical usefulness of which there exist diverse opinions, and possibly tho stronger of these runs in this line—that having got the forts and the guns we must maintain them. But there is no doubt that change and improvement in the present condition of our defence force are a clamant necessity. If the system is to exist, such improvement must come. Friends of defence admit the urgent necessity of expert handling ; and these roasoners may possibly hold a reserve of special knowledge while tho mere experimentalists are content with a hoped-for reorganisation. Whatever may bo proposed, any reorganisation must be thorough, if indeed a new departure entirely may not bo necessary. Will the Speech from the Throne to-day mako.any reference to tho subject, or indicate some purpose of remedying the existing condition into which the whole system has degenerated ? Men of military experience do not hesitate to say that for all practical purposes the Colony, as regards its defence force, is in a worse condition than it was five years ago. The expense incurred in bringing on the Volunteers and in training tho permanent force has not yielded adequate results, and each year signs of retrogression are more clearly marked. While experts have differed as to method, the force of the Colony has lost ground, and the true spirit of volunteering has been unduly strained, it might be almost said crushed. What is wanted is a fair and just, if not generous, consideration of the real requirements of the Colony as regards defence, whatever these may be, and apart from any Party bias.' If we are to have a proper defence force, New Zealand being only on tho threshold of her military career, so far as it relates to external defence, she wants to be taught the first principles of military discipline, in order to bind the scattered fragments and cement the excellent material which has been all but broken up by what can only bo termed reckless administration. Shortly, the present position is this : The disorganisation is so complete that one of two courses must bo adopted. Either that the services of an Imperial officer should be secured to undertake tho reconstruction of our forces as soon as possible, or that Parliament should provide tho requisite means for the appointment of a small and efficient staff to keep the scattered fragments of our force together in the meantime. This seems to bo a plain view of tho position. It is hazardous to differ from military men on matters of defence ; but we must plead guilty to this opinion—that Now Zealand, like Britannia of old, “needs no bulwarks, no towers along the steep.” Everybody knows tho lines. What is the tree and lasting power in our defence is the British and Colonial Navy. If we keep tho sea, as for many generations wo hove done, we need fear no foe that may dream of attempting a raid on our shores. Britannia and Italia have the strongest fleets in the world ; and these two allied could sweep tho seas. Above all, they have all the coaling stations of note, a powerful factor in the sum of Naval supremacy.