AUSTRALIAN NAVAL DEFENCE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTAToR.") SI8,—The kernel of the whole matter is this : men in Australia imbued with the patriotic spirit desire to share in the actual dangers of their defence, and no provision exists for the recognition of this desire. The object of the letter commented on by Sir John Colomb was to bring this fact before the lay mind. Popular interest is already aroused re- garding things military, and it may presently turn to naval affairs. For replies to the queries put by Sir John Colomb, I beg to refer him to the Report of the Conference of Australian Naval Officers, which gives the scheme in outline. Details must be considered by the ablest authorities. The question is big and far-reaching, and fraught with difficulty, but the problems of this colossal Empire have not yet out- grown the capacity of her rulers to solve them.—I am, Sir, J. SADLER.
[We are delighted to see that Mr. Goschen announces that provision is to be made for a Colonial Naval Reserve, but we want to see the Colonies even more deeply and directly interested in the Navy. When the four free nations of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have all taken shape, we desire that each should have a local navy of its own, which can be used as the Colonial armies have been used to help the Empire in its need. We cannot continue this controversy jest now, but hope to return to it at a later period.—En. Spectator.]
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