also know—from the account of his adventures, published by Captain Semmes, who commanded the “Alabama”—that it was owing to the want of vigilance of the United States naval authorities, and to their neglecting to place men-of-war cruisers in proper positions, that he was able for a considerable period to carry on his attacks unmolested. We further know that the “Alabama” at length became unserviceable from constant cruising; and in a disabled state, not being allowed to go into dock in any port to refit, she was sunk by the “Kearsage” in an encounter with that vessel, which she was not in a condition to avoid. Had the “Alabama” been able to refit and place herself in an efficient state, she might, perhaps, have defeated the “Kearsage” and commenced a fresh career against United States commerce. We learn from this case of the “Alabama”—if indeed the conclusion were not obvious without the lesson—the absolute necessity for ensuring to ourselves, by effective defence, the use of our naval stations throughout the world, in order that they may be denied to an enemy, and that he may thus be unable to keep the sea, at the same time that they provide secure bases for the movements of cruisers engaged in the defence of our commerce. It has been said that the success of the “Alabama” in attacking the commerce of the United States was due to her being able to coal in British ports; and that hostile vessels would be unable to make an attack on Australasia because of there being no means of coaling en route. The answer to this is that coaling stations exist in the Pacific Islands; but, even were there none, the improvements in the construction of steamers during recent years have been such that vessels can now steam 28,000 miles at a rate of twelve knots an hour without replenishing their supply of coal.Defence of New Zealand from an Australasian point of view. Now, considering the question from an Australasian point of view, the security against attack of certain ports in Australasia is an essential part of the maritime defence of this portion of the empire, and it will be seen that there are some which are of common interest to all these colonies. For instance, looking at the chart of the world before you, you will observe that all ships approaching Australia by the Cape or Red Sea routes must pass comparatively near to King George's Sound. If, therefore, this harbour were held by an enemy, his war-ships acting therefrom might cut off our steamers and merchant-vessels. On the other hand, if secured to us, our men-of-war cruisers could use that port as a base for the defence of our commercial marine. Again, you will see that the Derwent, on which is the Town of Hobart, occupies a central position, whence attacks might be directed against Australia and