COLONIAL DEFENCE.

Waikato Independent, Volume IV, Issue 291, 16 October 1906, Page 6

COLONIAL DEFENCE.

No. 6. (TO the editor.) Sir, —In a world of such dire possibilities, national defence is more than discretion ; it is an imperative natural instinct. If, as some say, "defence" means "offence," what then is the meaning of that maddening haste of the great powers to expand and multiply their naval and military resources '? Is New Zealand to stand listening to the tumult of this world-wide martial activity and remain incredulous, presumptuous, blind or hypnotised ? No, abhor war as we may and must, denounce it as the most irrational, costly, inhuman and unchristian way of settling disputes, as we may and must, the time has not yet come, the evolution of human character has not yet reached that stage when we may break up our warships, close our arsenals and disband our armies ! What single nation can safely even reduce its armaments '? Does any sane person believe that New Zealand, unprepared and practically defenceless, is safer from invasion than if girded and guarded on sea and land ? Especially when " the good man of the house" does not know "at what hour" the invading thief may come ? In finis: "If we are to remain a nation at all, New Zealand must rely upon the British navy until she creates her own; must carry out. the counsel and methods of Lord Boberts, so fully and forcibly set forth in "Pearson's Magazine " for May last, and beginning with compulsory cadet training, make rifle-shooting a national sport, create a national volunteer citizen army. Until the colony has done all it possibly can to protect herself, she can make no appeal to " the God of Battles." Nor can she successfully exert' those higher moral influences, which were never so powerful to prevent and to defend from war, as they are to-day. Never was the conviction so profound that war is the most insane method of settling international disputes, and that with few and rare exceptions these could all be settled by arbitration, before the established Hague Tribunal; and never was there as to-day so much international intercourse, literature, commerce and exchange of civil and official courtesies and goodwill. Never did the spirit of Christianity appeal to the heart and conscience of the world as in these which some call "evil days." The destiny of this colony is placed in her own hands, and warning voices from under the sea and through the air proclaim that if she is to remain and_ flourish as the "England of the Pacific," then must she awaken and arise to her responsibility—as did the England from which she sprang, when a century ago the name of Napoleon spread terror throughout Europe—and lay upon all her citizens the patriotic duty of military training and defensive service.—l am, etc., Edwin Cox. Cambridge, October 7th, 1906.