A.—6

22

in commission in time of peace, and if peace should be of long duration, some of the vessels might be laid up until they deteriorated or became obsolete, without ever having been used. 12. Since their foundation a century ago, these colonies have not been disturbed by an enemy. It is quite possible that the proposed colonial sea-going vessels may see no active service until, owing to the progress of science or other causes, they are of no use for active service. 13. Bearing these and other contingencies in mind, would it not be better for the Mothercountry to strengthen the Australian squadron now and from time to time as might be agreed upon for the security of this part of the Empire, the colonies making such money-payment to the Imperial Government as would cover the cost of the additional vessels. 14. In other words, as before stated, why should not the system heretofore pursued when military protection was required by the colonies be adopted now that naval protection is required ? 15. From the figures given by your Excellency I roughly gather that the scheme indicated in your letter would entail on the colonies a first cost of about £635,000. The annual charge would appear to be, on the war footing, somewhere about £115,000; on the peace footing somewhere about £75,000. 16. Supposing that, under the arrangement I suggest, an annual subsidy of £180,000 in war time and £90,000 in peace time were paid by the colonies to the Imperial Government, would not the Imperial Government, for such consideration, be justified in raising the Australian squadron to the extra extent indicated by your Excellency, and would not the arrangement be more elastic and leave greater freedom of action on both sides ? 17. It is presumed that any payment required to be made by the different colonies would bo apportioned on the basis of population. 18. Each contributing colony would, of course, desire to see Her Majesty's ships in its water as frequently as possible. To avoid future difficulties, perhaps some understanding or arrangement on this head would be expedient. 19. I could not finally pledge this Government to any payment without the previous approval of the Legislature. 20. It is possible that a doubt may arise whether the limited means and lesser wealth of Western Australia render it necessary that this colony should pay for naval protection extra to that afforded by the present Imperial squadron. I myself, however, would always be in favour of Western Australia entering into partnership with the greater colonies of the Continent in any scheme of the kind now proposed, so far as our means will allow. 21. Eequesting your Excellency to lay this letter before the Conference on Naval Defence, I have, &c, ——■ P. Napiee Beoome.

No. 13.— From His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to Admiral Tryon, enclosing a Memorandum by Ministers on Naval Defence; also a note as to the nature of the reply sent. — (Received on the second day of the meeting, 27th April, 1886.) Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 19th April, 1886. With reference to your letter of the 24th December last relating to naval defences, and to the meeting that took place at Government House during your recent visit to New Zealand when you discussed the question with myself and some of my Ministers, I have the honour to forward herewith copies of a memorandum which I have just received from my Ministers on the subject. I shall feel obliged if you will communicate to me any observations which you may desire to offer on the proposals contained therein. I have, &c, Wm. F. Deumsiond Jeevois. Note. —I have written to New Zealand to point out the erroneous impression entertained in paragraph 9. I have sent the telegram of the 25th April, which shows the prime cost, and also the cost of maintaining an " Archer " and a torpedo-catcher, a matter on which they previously were not fully acquainted. I have also pointed out, while the sum named is not nearly sufficient to provide the vessels they suppose it would, it would go a long way towards paying the share that would fall to New Zealand if all the colonies in Australasian waters joined and agreed to create a naval force out of funds provided by each colony according to its population. I have also pointed out that united action on the part of all the colonies is not probable, if it is stipulated that during peace two vessels should always remain in any particular waters, but that the spirit of the wishes of the Ministers would be fully met by an assurance that the ports of New Zealand would be frequently visited either by single ships or at intervals by several ships cruising together as a squadron, an arrangement which is in accord with my existing orders, but which is rarely done owing to the numerous calls made for vessels to visit distant islands. G. Teyon, H.M.S. " Nelson," at Sydney, Bear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. 27th April, 1886.

Enclosure to ITo, 26 ante.

No. 29 ante

No. 14.-— Memorandum on Colonial Naval Defence, by Admiral Tryon. Memorandum presented at meeting. H.M.S. " Nelson," Sydciey, 24th April, 1886. When questions that affect the navy, and especially when how to increase its effective action in seas remote from the Mother-country, are under consideration, it is necessary to pass in review the existing strategfc conditions, which cannot be disregarded, for they force our hands. It will be found, however, that somo colonies and some places of special importance will require special treatment, and that they call into existence a naval force that does not primarily enter into or belong to the system on the lines on which for strategic reasons the main fleet of the country moves.