The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 898, 11 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1877.

I>~ the question of whether Grrea* Britain is likely to be involved in war with Russia, we iu these colonies are far more deeply interested, than at any former period of our history. During the Crimean war we had little anxiety as to its immediate effect upon ourselves. The Russian fleet was then comparatively unimportant, and what there was of it, England succeeded in rendering perfectly harmless. Russia is not likely to permit a similar disaster to happen to her again. She is no doubt prepared for the contingency of war with Great Britain. She knows our weak points as well as we do ourselves. Our merchant vessels are to he found in every sea, and the colonies are particularly open to attack. She :>o doubt therefore contemplates an attack upon our commerce and our •donies, should a rupture take place ic.tween herself and England. Now Russia is not in the habit of telling the world at large what is going on in her arsenals and dockyards, and she nay be in a position to do more damage For a time to our commerce in these seas thau we think her capable of doing The present Government are no doubt most anxious to do everything in their power to protect the colonies. According to the latest accounts extraordinary

efforts are being made to increase the strength of that part of England's fleet intended for foreign service. Her steel flotilla which is now being built will on account of great swiftness render valuable service in defending the colonies against attack. The rapid and easy means of communication which now exist all over the colonies would be an additional source of security. All the chief towns of Australia and New Zealand are now connected with each other by means of telegraph. The movements of an enemy's licet in these waters could thus easily be made known, at the head quarters of the Australian squadron. The kind of defence which our chief towns and ports inquire is that which could keep an enemy's ship at bay for a few days at most. Commodore Hoskins suggests the mounting of a few heavy guns, and the laving down of torpedoes in our harbours. It is needless to say that we in New Zealand are at the present moment absolutely defenceless. However brave our handful of volunteers may be, they are entirely without the means of successfully opposing an enemy's ship. If our principal harbours were defended by a few heavy guns of the latest construction, and torpedoes laid down in them, we might regard ourselves as comparatively free from danger. There is little chance of any attempt being made to effect a landing on these shores. All that we would have to guard against would be a visit of a ship of war bent upon making a levy in money or supplies. New fSoiith Wales and Victoria have long been alive to this danger, and have accordingly taken steps to have Sydney and Melbourne protected. In New Zealand the question has been discussed in the Assembly from time to time, without any practical result. Of course anything like a complete system of defence, is for financial reasons, entirely beyond our reach, but surely something might be done in the way of laying down torpedoes and mounting a few heavy guns at our most vulnerable points. The approaching visit of the Governor appears to have caused a good deal of commotion amongst our local magnates, and already the mode of reception is being discussed. Cr Ick, advocates —in a manner which does honour to his gallantry —a ball, and doubtless his suggestion will be warmly supported by the fairer portion of the community. The ideas of Englishmen of giving welcome to a coming or speeding a parting guest, are always associated with a dinner. It seems thoroughly understood, that our better feelings are brought out more prominently and appear to better advantage after such an event. As a rule we take our pleasures sadly, the only occasions on which we appear to advantage being when we meet round what we believe, it is correct to call the "festive board." But in these solemn not to say dreary repasts, the fair sex have no share, except it be the melancholy satisfaction of knowing that their health has been drank at the expense of that of their lords and masters. Now it is only fair that the ladies of Christchurch should have an opportunity of welcoming his Excellency, and it could take no better form than that of a ball. Cr Ick deserves thanks for the suggestion he has made, and we only hope it will be carried out. A meeting of ratepayers called by circular will be held this evening at Mr. C. Clark's rooms Hereford street. The business to be considered is the drainage plan now before the people, and determine the action to be taken thereon. We have already on more than occasion advocated the reference of the scheme to a competent Board of Engineers, as the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty, and we again urge this view on the ratepayers who are invited to be present at the meeting to-night.