OUR DEFENCES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 446, 4 November 1870, Page 3

OUR DEFENCES.

(Communicated), The Franco-Prusaian War, in its mighty infl uer.ee for good or evil; must affect, amongst other vitally important interests ; the Inter-colonial policy of Great Britain ; and hasten, if not precipitate ; the consummation of the Imperial manifesto, which has virtually declared that, at no distant date ; British Colonies shall be self-reliant for defence against aggressors. Either rebels within, or foes without. Thanks to the inherent love of law and order, the respect for constitute 1 authority, and the strong conservative loyalty ; controlling the thoughts and actions of every true born Briton ; w'e, as colonists, have little to fear from internal di sonsions. The Native question in its hydra hea l ed form of chronic tribulation ; is our one domestic trouble ; the *■ ete noir’ of our statesmen ; the dark blot upon onr otherwise fair escutcheon. But on this point we venture to assert, that nine tenths of the colonists of New Zealand are agreed in the opinion, that a seif reliant policy is the best that can be adopted. Strong measures, short, sharp and decisive action ; tempered by unwavering justice, in our dealings with the Natives ; will do more to effectually stamp out future attempts at rebellion than any conciliating policy hitherto adopted. And it unhappily the smouldering ashes of discontent are famie into a blaze, and Maori troubles again ensue ; our civil force, aided by the strong arms of sturdy . settlers ; rising in righteous indignation to protect their healths and homes; will doubtless prove as effective in the hour of need, as tlie formal tactics of our late military defenders. It is from without that we have reason to apprehend ranger- Even now the mother country may be involved in war ; and hos" tile cruisers may he speeding to our shores, bent on oiie fell purpose. To sink, burn, and destroy our mercantile marine ; and levy tribute on our defenceless cities. It is not that the Ministry of Great Britain would withhold aid from us in our dire necessity. The difficulty would be to raise the forces required for all her home and colonial wants, on a scale sufficient to give this, and other distant dependencies, prompt and effectual succour. Although of late years Britain, and also the Foreign Continental powers have been compelled to greatly increase both military and naval defences. It is to be deplored that the burthensome honor of costly aimament, has been thrust upon countries desiring peace. But in se.fdefeiice, gigantic preparation for probable war, has been a stern necessity. Louis Napoleon, with no enemies to encounter ; without the shadow of an excuse of threatened hostility ; even while declaring “ the Empire is peace:” persistently continued to organise forces by sea and by laud. Creating, and perfecting in power and efficiency, a costly machine thatmight, under favoring auspices ; have given him supreme nonunion amid the nations of the world. Hence the peaceful citizens of free countries, have been compelled to bend beneath the pressure of increased taxation Kendered necessary to create and keep in efficiency fo-ces of which they had no need. Save to counteract the mischievous tendencies of uu aggressive neighbour Costly, useless powers ; whose very existence, may now tend to prolong the present purposeless war. Reviewing the circumstances of our position, in the event of Britain being involved in war ; it becomes our duty to consider our present and prospective means of selfdefence. For the safety of our ports and harbors, the General Government will doubtless adopt prompt and vigorous measures. It remains for each individual community to also “ prepare for action.” The great Volunteer movement, which sprunginto existence afew years sinc n among our countrymen at home ; has placed Britain in the proud position of being able in case of nee ’, to spare every man of her regular troops for foreign service. The movement has sine spread with steady stride throughout all her colonies. In New Zealand the Otago Volunteers stand preeminent. In the last annual report of their Adjutant ; Major Atkinson ; the strength of the force is slated to be eight hundred and seventy ; “ nearly all efficients and good atten ants at drill.” Under the heads of Cadets, the report shows that “ all the Government Schools in and about Dunedin are under instruction .” Giving a total of three huudmlai.dseventy one boys under training. The adjutant further reports that “the companies were never in a higher state of efficiency than at present. ” May not the prestige ot our gallant Volunteers be raised higher ; and the efficiency of our defence force increased ; by a large augmentation of our defenders 1 What is there to prevent every istrict in Otago from organising its local corps ? To what more laudable object can loyal subjects devote there spare time and energy ? Our neighbors in the Wakatip district have already been prompt in action. Let the men of the Dnnstan emulate so good an example. As regards our boys, ‘ the young irrepressibles, ” no better, or more attractive method of utilising their superfluous energy could be devised, than accustoming them to “ d rill ”, The benefits already enjoyed at the Dunedin Schoo l , should bo extended to every school in Otago. Our Constabulatry Force could well furnish practised drill instructors for both adults nd cadets.. Few we imagine will gainsay that an urgent necessity exists for prompt and united action herein, aa a primary step in the development of » self reliant defence policy.