The reception. of the Duke of Cornwall at Sydney has
rivalled that at Melbourne, and like that has been remarkable for its displays of Australian military spirit. The Duke has, in fact, reviewed in each Colony a small but well-organised Army. remarkable for the proportionate numbers and excellence of its cavalry and artillery. The Australians take to training, and are evidently determined to be able to defend themselves even if sinister events should deprive them for a moment of British aaistance. Even now invasion would be most difficult to any Power, and ten years hence, when the whole population has passed through the Militia, it will be impossible, more espe- cially if the local statesmen will remember, what their rivals it home seem liable to forget, that the bravest and most skilled soldiers are powerless without munitions. Everywhere, except in India, this is the weak point of our preparations, and Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders alike must take example from the Boers, and not from us. If they have double the quantity of everything declared by their statesmen to be necessary they will be approximately safe, but treble the quantity will be a more businesslike supply. They must allow for waste, as they do when they buy matches.
