The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1883. COLONIAL DEFENCE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 75, 6 March 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1883. COLONIAL DEFENCE.

Sib William Jebvois has evidently the intention of teaching this Colony perfect self-reliance in all matters regarding our coastal defences, to protect the seaport towns in the event of a European war. In his speech at Dunedin Harbor Board works he said : — " He had had much to do during his life with the defences of the Empire, having been the immediate adviser of Lord Palmerston from the year 1857 up to the time of thai statesman's death, and his recommendations having been carried out, he could nOw express an opinion on such matters without it being considered that he was indulging in anything like overweening vanity. The question seemed to be within' a small compass. It had been said that these colonies formed part of the British Empire, and therefore that hey could look to England for their defence. There was some truth, and there was also a considerable amount of error in that. No doubt, so long as Great Britain was the greatest naval power in the world, and he took it that she always intended to remain so, she was able to protect the colonies against any expedition that might be sent out against them. She was prepared to supply ships and forces against any expedition proceeding from a port, aud to disperse them. Therefore, all the colonies had to provide against was the sudden landing of some cruisers or a privateer or two. It would be impossible for the greatest naval power that will ever exist to use sufficient vigilance to prevent such a thing happening. To meet such a contingency, the means of defence would only require to be comparatively small, and from conversations he had had with several persons, he did not think there would be much difficulty in getting Parliament to provide funds for this purpose. It was important to have a proper volunteer force of qualified infantry and artillery. The Volunteers presented a good appearance on parade, and practised well, and no doubt would do good service ; but uwless the men were trained they could not bi» expected to do much in the way of insisting external attack, although they might be useful as regarded internal peace. On this ques» tion he would lay before Ministers some distinct principles, which, he ventured to think, should be acted upon Making these observations, he wished it to be understood that while they were wise in carrying out harbor works they would have to provide, sooner or later, for their defence." The remarks of his Excellency will have the effect of infusing a new spirit into the Volunteer movement, and will go a long way to remove the impression that has gradually been made on the minds of Volunteers, that they were looked upon by the Government as an incumbrance, or at best, as a means of providing employment for a few favored individuals on the permanent staff. The men have always come cheerfully forward when their services were called for by the country, and will do so again, but with a heartier spirit wben they know that whatever sacrifices they may make for the common good, will meet with the approval of " the powers that be." The minds of the "free born British" are so peculiarly constituted that they willingly folio* any lead that may be given by those "placed in authorJ ity over them," and who occupy , " the I high places upon earth."