The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas t Prevalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1884. The British Navy.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1381, 15 November 1884, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas t Prevalebit. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1884. The British Navy.

The naval supremacy of Great Britain over other nations of the world has so long been accepted as an axiom that the revelations recently disclosed in an article in the Pall Mall Gazette, which we reprinted in our issue of Thursday, cannot fail to arouse a widespread feeling of consternation. So far from the facts having been exaggerated by the journal in question, there is only too clear evidence forthcoming from trustworthy authorities to show that the description of the present state of things is rather under the mark than otherwise. It will be remembered that when the now celebrated brochure “ The Battle of Dorking ” was first published, a great many people regarded the author as an alarmist. Admitting that France or Germany, with the enormous military resources at their command, could once obtain foothold in England, our chances of successfully resisting an invasion of a foreign foe were small indeed, yet the strip of sea which separates our “tight little island” from the Continent of Europe was held to be an insuperable safeguard. The navy and the strength of the defences of our Home ports formed, in fact, not only our main protection but the sole one upon which any reliance could be placed. The informant of the Pall Mall Gazette, however, clearly proves that the patriotic boast of Britons that they rule the waves has become simply a phrase of no meaning, and that England’s, naval supremacy no longer exists. We are told that althoi other Powers have been increasing their expenditure on navies to the tXtent of 40 percent., Great Britain has actually been diminishing hers, in spite of her having incurred enormous responsibilities, inasmuch as her possessions have been greatly extended during the past fifteen years. France has already surpassed us in regard to first class ironclads and both her guns, and those of Italy are superior in weight and power to those in use in the British Navy. An equally sorry story is told concerning the weakness of our foreign stations, the inadequate protection that would be afforded to our mercantile marine, the ease with which our coaling and telegraph stations could be demolished by foreign cruisers, and the absence of any proper defence for the commercial ports of England. In short, it is evident that the supposed protection which the Mother Country has so long put implicit trust in is nothing but a delusion and a snare, and should trouble arise with one of the European nations Britain wmuld scarcely be able to hold her own even against a second-rate Power. As to who is responsible for this discreditable state of affairs, it is little use spending time in discussing that. The main fact is, that it exists and should be remedied without delay. This is a matter which vitally concerns the colonies. In spite of the lucid address delivered some time back by his Excellency the Governor, in which the need for more efficient defence works being established in this part of the world was emphasised, the public of New Zealand have shown a strange apathy concerning this most important question. We fully expected that the Government would have brought down some proposals dealing with it during the late session, but we were disappointed. The apathy we have referred to is probably due to a belief that the Imperial authorities would be able to help us in case of necessity, but now that it has been shown what a slender reed this is to lean upon it is surely time to bestir ourselves in order to provide proper protection for our coast J line. i