The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1095, 2 January 1878, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1878.

In reply to Mr. Fitzroy, who asked as to the nature of the important services on which the Hinemoa would he engaged in January, and which Ministers stated as a reason why Sir W. Jervois could not have her to use in reporting upon the defence of the colony, Sir G. Grey is reported to have said that Ministers were the proper judges of the importance of the services in which the Hinemoa would he engaged, which would prevent her being placed at the disposal of Sir W. Jervois. An Auckland telegram, dated December 31st, states that the s.s. Hinemoa left with the Premier and the Native Minister that day for "Waiwera, and that Sir G. Grey would go to Wellington the next day, Jamuiry Ist, by the same vessel. We shall watch with much interest the use to which Ministers will put this vessel during the next few weeks. At any rate she was appropriately employed on the Last day of the year in taking Sir G. Grey and Mr. Sheehan to the pleasant watering place, Waiwera. Although steamers ply daily from Auckland to that fashionable resort, such vulgar means of conveyance would not suit the great champion of the people's rights —the Premier. An ordinary coasting steamer was, of course, considered quite enough to transport Sir W. Jervois, but this advocate of economy must put the colony to the considerable expense of keeping thr Hinemoa as a jleasur'e jaefci tor feimedt

and liis Native Minister, on their triumphal progress through the North. In the meantime war between England and Russia is getting more and more imminent. We may at any moment learn that we have been dragged into the quarrel, and then it will be too late to begin thinking of taking some steps for our own defence. As has been pointed out. again and again, we cannot expect Great Britain to defend our harbours against the attack of every privateer which may visit these seas, although her fleet will no doubt protect us against anything like organised invasion. Had the Hinemoa not been required to convey the Premier from port to port of his dominions, wo might have, before long, had a cheap and effective system of defence laid before the Government. It will no doubt beto torpedoes that wo will have to look for our future defence. Their value for such a purpose was fully proved during the American war. No less than seven monitors and eleven wooden vessels were destroyed by torpedoes while engaged in attacking Southern ports. The present war is also proving their great value. Were it known therefore that the harbours of New Zealand were in any way defended by such means there would be little danger of an enemy's vessel venturing in. We hope the people of Canterbury will not rest quietly without making somo effort to protect themselves. There are, no doubt, men amongst us who could give the necessary information. Since we cannot obtain Sir W. Jervois. Ave must bo content with whatever advice we can get. If the Government is utterly careless of the interests of the colony, we must take care of ourselves. Let a report on the defence of Lyttelton bo procured from the best authority in New Zealand, and it will probably be found that wo can defend ourselves, to some extent, at a comparatively small cost, by means of torpedoes. Speaking of this means of defence, the ''Edinburgh Review'" for October says: "It results from the experience collected up to this time that the torpedo constitutes a class of weapon terribly effective for defence, but almost equally dangerous and uncertain for both parties, if used for attack."