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primarily from a monetary point of view, but other- wise with favour. There would be no fear of opposi- tion on the ground of existing interests being dis- possessed (3136-3156). To carry out the proposition in full, of having an officer in each brigade, an officer commanding each battery of artillery, and a command- ing officer and adjutant to each regiment of infantry would require some twenty officers, and the expense would perhaps be more than the Colony would care to face. It would be better, instead of making so many appointments at once, to begin by appointing a few field officers and a commandant, say eight in all, for five years (3157-3170, 3179, 3180, 3252-3266).

If the whole of the land forces of the Colony were placed under an Imperial officer, the question of unity of command would be disposed of (3195).

Non-Commissioned Officers sent out from England would not serve the same purpose, as they would know more than their superiors (3144). But the addition of a few non-commissioned officers of a good and reliable class would be a great help, and would be appreciated in the Colony (3171-3173, 3181, 3182).

Inspecting Officer. The appointment of a Queen's officer of rank and distinction to go the round of the Colonies, examining the fortifications, inspecting the levies, and passing everything under a close and searching examination, would be a very wise and popular step. The expenses would be defrayed by the Colonies visited, and Victoria would certainly bear a fair quota. The Home Government should also bear a certain proportion, inasmuch as English as well as Colonial interests are practically involved. The mission of Sir W. Jervois was not popular in Australia (3174– 3176).

Combining Forces.-It would not be advisable now to raise the question of combining the forces of any two Colonies. In time of war none of the Colonies would be backward in rendering assistance, and there would be no difficulty in combining their forces under an Imperial officer. Under the present Acts the forces cannot cross their respective borders, and it would not be advisable now to provide for that contingency. The necessary Acts could easily be passed in time of war (3187-3194, 8207-3212). It would be preferable to leave any questions of concert or combination until the necessity arose (3195, 3196). Although it would not be desirable to introduce such a suggestion into any general scheme of defence, a General Officer coming out, say, once in every three years, might, after in- specting the forces of two or more Colonies, suggest, of his own accord, the formation of a joint camp in some suitable locality on one of the lines of railway. Such a proposal would be heartily taken up by the Colonies, and would be very popular. It would have a beneficial effect on the discipline of the men, would maintain the corps in greater efficiency, would provoke rivalry between them, and would lead to unity of command in time of war (3287-3292).

Railways.-Combined operations will be facilitated on the completion of the railways. The line between Melbourne and Sydney will be finished within a few months. The 4 ft. 8 in. gauge has been adopted in Victoria. There is a different gauge in New South Wales, and there will be a break of gauge at Albury (3198-3200).

Uniformity of Organization and Equipment.-Victoria has adopted the arms in use in the Imperial service for the sake of uniformity. New South Wales has not followed that plan, and is already in a difficulty about rifle ammunition (3201, 3206). There would be no difficulty in carrying out a uniform system of organiza- tion among the Colonies that would connect them with the general defences of the Empire, provided the scheme be well considered and not too costly. It would not be advisable to ask the Colonies to agree together as to the mode of payment; it would be better to deal with them separately than to attempt to get a common course of action adopted by all (3185, 3186, 3203, 3204).

Munitions of War.-The stock of munitions of war of all kinds in the Colony is lamentably small (2981,

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3222). The distance of Great Britain, and the risk of getting supplies in time of war, are so great, that it might be advisable to establish an arsenal for the supply of the whole of the Australasian Colonies and India, which is a large consumer (3223). An arsenal would necessarily involve considerable expenditure in its defence, but, on the other hand, the existing de- fences will be of no use without a sure supply of ammunition. The risk of the present mode of supply is a matter of very serious consideration. The only alternatives are, to keep a large supply of ammunition, which is liable to deterioration, or to obtain supplies from some source nearer than England (3223, 3226, 3227). India even would be preferable. The voyage from India occupies twenty-one days, as compared with forty-nine days from England (3231). Munitions of war must come either from the mother-country, or from some arsenal in charge of an Imperial officer. The Colonies should not have anything to do with the supply. The establishment of a gunpowder manufac- tory has been recommended, but even that is premature, and it would not be practicable to manufacture the pebble powder now in use (3224, 3366). There are proper arrangements in the Colony for storing muni- tions of war, a good powder magazine, and a well- qualified store.keeper (2982, 3232–3235).

School of Instruction. It would be premature to establish a military school of instruction in Australia such as has been founded in Canada. No one Colony could possibly maintain it, and the distances between the Colonies would prevent civilians giving that time to it which it would deserve (3267-3275). Neither would it be possible to graft such a school upon one of the Universities. Scientific teaching could be better obtained in England (3276, 3277).

Colonial Contribution to Naval Defence.-The Colony takes upon itself the duty of erecting fortifications, of providing armaments, and the land forces necessary to hold the fortifications for the defence of its ports, so as to give full protection in time of war to the Queen's ships in harbour, as well as to their own commercial marine. The Colony further provides a naval force for local defence. On the other hand, the Colony would expect the mother-country to give all the protection in her power by means of the Queen's ships to the colonial seaboard and trade, with the understanding that the best protection is not necessarily given by the presence of ships off the Australian coast. The navy may be protecting Melbourne by acting, say, in the English Channel, and by destroying vessels that would be likely to injure commerce; or the fleet in China waters might be protecting Australia, by The value of destroying the enemy's vessels there. the union between the Colony and the mother-country, and the importance of strengthening it, and of each party bearing their share of the common task, is fully The Colonies may fairly be appreciated in Victoria. expected to contribute to the naval defence of the Empire; it would, however, be undesirable for the Colonies to maintain ships of war of their own; such a plan would be more complicated and costly than pay- ing a contribution to the Imperial Government. It might no doubt be arranged that the Imperial Govern- ment should provide a vessel, and that the Colony should keep her on the understanding that in case of emergency she should co-operate with Her Majesty's fleet. The naval defence of colonial commerce should be left to the Imperial navy, and the colonial contribu- tion should be in cash. The amount must be calculated on the basis of trade, and would be difficult to arrive at. Of the ships that go to Victoria, perhaps nine- tenths belong to Great Britain; and of the cargoes possibly one-half would be insured in British offices, a further fourth belonging to British merchants, and only From one quarter absolutely belonging to colonists. this it would appear that in case of capture only one- fourth of the loss would fall upon colonial owners; but as a fact the whole loss, whatever it may be, must fall upon the Colonies ultimately. must have the goods, and would have to pay in the On the other hand, British and colonial long run.

The consumers

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