BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed„ KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1873.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 50, 22 February 1873, Page 2

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. “The spirit of the times shall teach me speed„ KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1873.

ATab with Bussia ! ! cablograms which wo publish to-dav is a, possibility of England SgomS involved m war with this great TvJ ° The leading journals of Europe a rT> appears, discussing the chances nfV dire catastrophe. # The tone of the Russian press, especially, is said to be most arm gant and contemptuous as regards En land, and that the friendly relations of thl two countries have been disturbed them can be no question of doubt.' The Khivan difficulty it wouid seem, is the bitter pi ®o difficult to swallow. England will not believe that the difficulty is of such mJ mtude as to require the immense force nf 150,000 men _ sent to Central Asia bv Russia. This action is consequently looked upon merely as strategy, and bus picions are aroused as to Russia’s ulterior object. We have no desire to act the part of alarmists, but to be “ forewarned is to he forearmed.’ ’ Lyttelton evidently believes in this old adage although it is perhaps the least likely port in the colony to be attacked—yet the people of Canterbury have, in a forcible manner, already represented their defenceless condition to the General Government. It is the duty of each district on the coast line of New Zealand to follow such an example, as it is also the duty of the Government to communicate at once with the Imperial authorities on the matter. borne little time ago an announcement of a very startling character was received by our Government from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the effect that a fillibustering expedition would possibly attack these Southern colonies, placing the sea-ports under contribution; and previous to this, on another occasion when was a rupture between England and Russia, it was ascertained that in the event of war being declared an immediate descent upon Australia and New Zealand by the Russian fleet was contemplated. Then the likelihood of New Zealand being vsited by hostile ships was considered remote to a great degree. But in the present case it appears to us to be otherwise. Under these circumstances it would be the height of madness to ignore or pay no attention to the warning given us. borne means should be adopted to defend our harbours, and a plan of operations should bo agreed upon in case of emergency. We would most strongly urge the consideration by the Government of the utterly defenceless state of our ports throughout this colony. The Auckland “ Star,” in referring to the subject, says : The efficiency of well-equipped coast batteries was demonstrated in the late war between Spain and the South American Republics, where the Spanish fleet were driven off with considerable loss by vigouroualy manned small batteries. The importance of this matter cannot be over-estimated, and the Government should take immediate action by placing itself in communication with the Imperial authorities for the purpose of procuring from the English arsenals guns of a suitable class for coast defence and torpedoes, to be placed at the disposal of the coast authorities at each port ready for use in the event of any real danger arising. The members of the Armed Constabulary might, moreover, be exercised in gun-drill, and rendered capable of manning the forts iu cases of emergency. It is surely not desirable to leave all thoughts on the subject till the unwelcome arrival in some port of the Such a proceeding would savour more of foolhardiness than courage or forethought, and it is one which we do not think will be followed by the Government, to whom the public look with confidence fov some action in the matter. How would our readers like to bo given some morning 48 hours’ notice to collect a large sum of money for an enemy, with the alternative of having Tauranga shelled if the money was not forthcoming ? Are we prepared for this ? Depend upon it there was a bidden meaning to the clever which appeared in the u Southern Cross of Monday last. We sincerely trust that the Government will see the gravity of the question, and take such steps as may prove to the public that they are uot forgetful of the danger to which wc may he exposed, nor unprepared to meet that

cancer should it come upon us. It is a consummation devoutly to bo wished that the differences between the two countries may be’ settled without a war. In the meantime lot us, in the words of the old son g, bo “ Ready, boys, ready.”