OUR DEFENCES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 179, 24 April 1908, Page 4

OUR DEFENCES.

COLONEL .WOLFE ON TIIE SITUATION.' ■ (by. telegraph.—special correspondent) . / ■ ; Auckland, April 23. . : The statements of Mr. Itobmsoii, of Masterton, .at,',the;Dofonco League's Conference in - Wellingtori,'' (wqrp.y submitted to Oolonel Wolfe,; omcer : cbiriiriandirig :,tho Auckland district;-,b.v-a ,'.! Star".'.reporter to-day.;,, That ofheor ridiculed-the-idea, that any: invading forco could\,so;-establisli itself in the country surrounding Auckland as to be able to defy tho navy and land forces for years. ' "Any-such' imdertaking,; whilo tlio;Navyof. Gteat; Britain holds tho command:of tlio seas, must,"; he said, "of. necessity bo only in: the' nature ;of; a raid.' To ; transport an invading ■ force of, ■ say, 2000 : men to. New Zoalana,.tfould• require a very large number, of ships; wllich any European Power would probably not bo able to; afford for such an enterprise,-' and -to land them in such a way 9S .has been suggested \yould moan that a Very great': deal of provision would have to be; made for securing tho requisite supplies. Besides this, tho fleet would, first havo to boat the Australian Squadron, i wliich would, of course, be,, reinforced in time of war, while the-absence in tho.case of most foreign nations''"'of any, cpiivonicrit -naval" or coaling baso; would mako-. the position of tho transporting .fleet more 'difficult."' v Still, in regard to tho defences of Auckland; tho Colonel' pointed - out;-'that' there would always bo the question of alteration, of' armament-, -, due v to'; the; almost {kaleidos-; copio changes i in that direction all over the' world. "Improvements and alterations in armaments are always_ being effected," ho continued, "and in this, connection several extra' guns will shortly bo placed iii, position at; Auckland. I-may also: say that the Defence Council is even now taking steps for, the improvement of tho defences of Auckland'in various ways, aud it js jny firm opinion that these will placo tlicf defences iri a 'most efficient state. 1 For'instanco, extra lights will shortly bo placed around tho /harbour, as although those at .present in. use aro.in vory good condition,.tlio additional ones will prove, highly useful, not only for sighting vessels but.'for tactical purposes in keopmg thorn'.under, .observation at certain points, during firing operations. I might also , remark that only yesterday Colonel Tusou, Adjutant-General of,tho New Zealand Forces, remarked to mo that the Auckland harbour was very well lighted, and ho considered that it would bo almost impossible for anyone to enter without being observed." : , "I am certain," Colonel Wolfo concluded, "that the barbpur will shortly bo a very strong one, and'an iuvadiiig forco will require a fairly strong squadron to make any iaffect, and so long as wo havo tho forts properly reinforced wo ought to : be ablo to account for them. Tho forts and surrounding fortification works are in good . condition nnd pmnlv gnffim'nnt, in caSO of an l'nvnsinii."..