The Globe. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1239, 25 February 1878, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1878.

An interesting discussion took place a short time ago in the New South Wales Assembly on the military estimates, and the sentiments expressed on that pecasion are instructive to us in the present state of affairs. Much was said of course about the individual items of the estimates, but little against the general principle of defending the colony. Some fow, it is true, held that the expenditure was unnecessary, on the ground that there was no danger of war in Europe at preeent. Others maintained that were war to break, out between Great Britain and Ryseia thwe tvowld be little chance of tbe

latter power finding the opportunity of j sending any of her fleet to trouble New South Wales. Other members confined their opposition to particular items on the estimates. A sum of £3049 had been submitted for the torpedo and signalling corps. After a long discussion on the question of employing officers connected with the telegraph department on such work, the item, reduced by £IOO, was carried by a majority of 32 to 13. It will thus be seen that New South Wales fully recognises the fact that the cost of defending her shores against an external enemy rests on her own shoulders, and she proposes to expend about £BO,OOO on such a work. Even Tasmania has not overlooked this matter. She has obtained a report from Sir W. Jervois on her defences. He recommends the protection of Hobart Town and Lauuceston against a sea enemy by land batteries and torpedoes—a possible attack upon Hobart Town by land to be met by a field force. The force for the batteries he recommends should be twenty permanent artillery, and 130 volunteers as a garrison. A full field force of fifty and 400 cavalry is also contemplated. Sir W. Jervois estimates the cost of batteries, torpedoes, stores, arms, &c, at £21,000, and the force at £BOOO per annum. This is a moderate sum indeed, and should convince our New Zealand Government that we could place ourselves in comparative safety at a moderate outlay to begin with, and a small annual charge. We take it for granted, of course, that the defence of the colony is recognised as a duty devolving upon us—and even the Premier admitted as much in his Wellington speech. It is beside the question altogether to say that we cannot afford it. We must afford it; for it is as much the duty of the Government to protect the fives and property of the people of the colony, as to provide means to pay the interest on our national debt. We are not called upon to bear a share in the military and naval defence of the Empire; the least we can do, therefore, is to protect our own shores. But unless the people are really in earnest about it there is a danger of this great duty being neglected till it is too late. Notwithstanding the ominous aspect of affairs in the East, war may be averted for a time. But this danger over, it will not do to sit quietly down and take no steps till another complication arises. The other Australian colonies are evidently of opinion that no unnecessaiy delay should take place. They accept the fact that it is their duty to defend themselves, and the sooner they are safe against all contingencies the better.

A great deal is attempted to be made of tbe annoyance to ratop yers in having to appear before the Assessment Court in consequence of the action of the Finance Committee of the City Council. But there are two sides to the question. If these objections are sustained, the general body of ratepayers will gain by the increased revenue secured, and the subsidy will be proportionately enlarged. It is urged that action should have been taken before the notices were issued, and now, when that has been done, it is unfair to go behind those notices. But we are inclined to think that it is better to take action, even at the eleventh hour, than not at all. If it is found that certain properties are very much undervalued, it would be manifestly unfair to allow the matter to remain there, merely to avoid some annoyance. As far as we can gather, the objections lodged by the Finance Committee are principally to the valuation oi farge properties in the centre of the city, the owners' of which will not suffer any great hardship if they devote a day to looking after their own interests. Besides, the objections made by the City Council will probably turn out to be so just as to render an appearance in Court unnecessary. Instead, therefore, of any outcry being raised by the ratepayers at the course taken by the Finale Committee, the great majority should tender the members hearty thanks for trying to prevent a serious loss to. the city funds. If all the ratepayers had been under-rated, it would have been different, but it js only a small minority who have been so favoured, ai_<d their convenience must give way to the general "ood.