The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2361, 26 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1870.

Procrastination lias been the ruin of thousands —of tens of thousands. Preparation has been the salvation of millions of people. The Evening Star has time after time pointed to the necessity of preparation for the reception of an enemy in Port Chalmers. Even the Daily Times on one occasion forgot its advocacy of a monopoly of telegrams by its sham Press Association, and condescended to see the possibility of Dunedin being laid under contribution. But what has been done ? We are not aware that one step has been taken for defence. By the last mail we learnt that in reply to an application to the Home Government for artillery to defend our towns, it was refused not so much on the ground of economy, but, as it appeared to us, on the ground of the inutility of artillery without fortifications on the one hand, and because it would be valueless against vessels protected by modern contrivances, on the other. It was said even that the coast of England, through the latter circumstance, is practically unprotected. Of this truth there can be little doubt, and it is well that it should be realised, in order that we may know the full extent of the difficulties we have to meet, as well as the true value of what has been refused. Had the guns been given, we should have placed too much faith in their power, and rested upon the security afforded by them until awakened to the truth of a needless sacrifice of life in serving them, and a victory by an enemy. From both these we are saved What artillery we have is quite equal to dealing with boats, should attack be made by means of them—a not very likely mode—and as for the hostile visit of an armed cruiser, wc must adopt some less expensive and more certain means of dealing with her than that of building batteries, and hurling shot against her protected sides. If Sir George Grey’s reported opinion is worth anything, the danger is far from past. Complications indeed seemed thickening when the mail left, but whether the troubles would be within the different Stales or from without, it was impossible to say. It has been the same in every French revolution. It has always been evident that the armies of the different sovereigns, though ostensibly maintained for defence against foreign aggression, were in most instances repressive engines to keep order within the States themselves. The two opposing principles of monarchy and democracy have been in conflict for eighty years. Thus far, monarchy has been sustained by the sword ; but the struggle will go on until it is made to yield to the advanced intelligence of a future generation. In the course of this struggle, no matter how innocent a people may be, they are liable to be involved in the ruin wrought by war. We, sixteen thousand miles from Europe, are sympathising with the wounded and the widows and orphans. No matter of what nation or creed, our people think only of their misfortunes, and ia true kindly and Chris-tian-like spirit subscribe that their sufferings may be ameliorated. Such large*

heavtedness ought to save us from the selfish barbarism of war. But were we angels in act and thought, it would not avail us should England be involved in war. We are of British race, attached to the British Government, ruled overby a British Governor —and unless we can defend ourselves, we arc liable to be treated as lair game by any buccaneer who chances to sail under a hostile flag. Wc believe when Mr Lumb shewed the Superintendent how easily an enemy’s vessel could be destroyed if we were prepared and on the watch, he was told it was the duty of the General Government to defend the ports. No doubt this is true ; but it is our duty to see that they do theirs. It will be a very pretty state of things if some fine morning an enemy’s vessel sails into the Port, and we for selfdefence have to requisition the Government for material to destroy her.-; Circumlocution arrangements would then be qf little avail, unless we could get her obligingly to wait until we had communicated with Wellington, and received an answer authorising us to construct torpedos, to place them under her bottom, and to fire them. Perhaps the same gentleman who once thought a picture we drew of the confusion of unpreparedness nonsense, will call this picture of the consequences of procrastination nonsense also. With all duo deference to such superior wisdom, wc humbly submit that we do not live in such an exalted sphere as to be supelior to mundane considerations. Wc are of opinion that force can only be repelled by force, and preparation for attack by preparation for defence. It is characteristic of barbarism that no thought is taken for the future. A well-devised plan alone can ensure our safety ; and though it might not be : wise to shew our cards, it would tend to prevent attack if it were circulated through the world that Port Chalmers was in a highly efficient state for defence,