IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1838, 11 May 1888, Page 2

IMPERIAL DEFENCES.

Tfeb press association.] London, May 9. Mr Stanhope, replying to a deputation of members of Parliament, said there was no occasion for a panic m conneciion with the defences of British coaling stations, but it was urgent that immediate action should be taken m the matter. He added that it was possible to accelerate the progress of defence, and admitted that it was necessary to increase the Garrison corps stationed at coaling stations, and for this purpose a third army corps is being organised, The deputation of members of Parliament urged that the country should be placed m a proper state of defence* Mr Stanhope, m replying, said that the country had confidence m Lord Wolseley and Major-General Sir Redvers Buller, who were paying close attention to the matter.. Sufficient suras had, he said, been placed on the estimates to carry out the defence of the ports and coaling stations. The defences of the leading mercantile ports were almost complete as intended, and he thought that an attack on London by means of the Thames was impossible. The scheme of mobilising the army was being proceeded rf with, and rapidly approaching completion It would, he said, greatly depend on I the patriotism and intelligence of the volunteers if their numbers were adequate, and the only disadvantage under which they would suffer would be from incomplete preparation.