The Globe. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1269, 12 April 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1878.

vVhatever may be the result of affairs in Europe, it is evident that wo, in the colonies, cannot allow the question of oui defence to remain longer in its present unsatisfactory position. There are a certain class in New Zealand —a smaL minority wo should imagine—who .regard it as the duty of the Imperial Government to defend our shores against ah attack. Not satisfied with knowing that the British navy is in every sea, on the alert to protect the interests of the Empire, wherever menaced, those degenerate representatives of a brave peopl would calmly fold their hands and call upon the heavily-burdened taxpayers of the mother country to provide shore defences as well. But even in the ranks of Sir G. Grey’s blind supporters there are signs of a change of opinion. The Otago Daily Times has suddenly awoke to the fact that something must bo done to protect our harbors, and has the courage even to call in question the wisdom of Sir G. Grey’s action last session in refusing the services of an eminent Imperial officer, who had been invited by the Atkinson Ministry to visit New Zealand and report on our defences. “ It is on the whole a pity,” says our contemporary, “that we have not had the advantage of the report of Colonel Scratchley, for it would at least have formed tie basis for negotiations with the home Government, and have enabled us to form an accurate oi the extent of our rightful obligations. Ihose obligations, our contemporary evidently thinks, are of an exceedingly limited nature. Ho thinks that, though the home authorities may not undertake to erect batteries, “ they may give us the big guns and a supply of ammunition sufficient to prevent a sudden surprise. They may nut be able to undertake to keep a large fleet in these southern ports, but they may give us in time of wai a frigate, and a gun boat or two foi each chief port, They may also supply engineering skill and materials for the manufacture of torpedoes if we undertake to lay and work them, and find men to erect and man the batteries. We scarcely thigh that the above extracts set forth fairly the lylatiyo duties of the Imperial and Colonial authorities in the matter of defence. Nor is it easy to state exactly what each should do. The relationship between tjie mother country and the colonies has never beep placed on a clearly defined footing. But wo think it is now generally'* acknowledged that while the Imperial authorities undertake to do their utmost to protect our shores and our commerce by means of her fleet, wo are expected to'look aitsr our shore defences ourselves. Our Victorian and New South Wales neighbours have long recognised this fcojb. Both these colonies spend a largo sum annually in defence. Among those democratic communities no potty questions are raised as to whether the Imperial authorities should not pay for their fortifications. Nay, more, the Government of New South Wales were willing some time ago to maintain an ironclad, to be employed in defending her coast, Tuo Government of New Zealand lias not advanced so fay ip an enlightened conception of its duty. Only a few weeks ago the citizens of Christchurch Wt v-e called upon to listen to a glowing pietiuP the future commercial greatness of tide eoJony, consequent upon the adoption of a different policy —a policy oi ignoble inaction. We are glad, therefore, to observe that the Premier’s unpatriotic sentiments have met with but a cold reception. One Ministerial journal after another has begun to urge the supremo importance of taking some stops to "make our principal ports secure; and at Ipst a member of the Ministry even }nis boon forced to acknowledge that goiasfchiiig puuG ho done, Wl-Ay

more, wo hope even if the present threatened war is escaped, that our statesmen will not allow the matter to drop. It would be the height of folly to allow ourselves to remain longer in our present defenceless condition. If wo do, wo are sure to bo overtaken some day or another in an unprepared state. Wo must follow the example of our other Australian neighbours, and put our principal ports in a state of defence. It is a duty which wo owe to ourselves and Great Britain. Although still a portion of the Empire, wo have long enjoyed the privilege of political self-government. Wo are left free to manage our own affairs in our own way. Wo are not called upon to contribute any share to the expenses of the Imperial Army and Navy. Yet wo are allowed to share the privileges and advantages of connection with the mother country. And yet there are some amongst us who grudge the few thousands which it would cost to protect our harbors against the visit of a flying ship of war. By emigrating from the old country, it would bo unreasonable to expect that wo should escape the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon the members of all civilised communities —that of taking stops for our own protection. Wo are surely not loss patriotic than our Australian neighbours. At any rate, the example of the North American colonies should stir us to action. Those hardy New Englanders never expected the Imperial authorities to protect their ports against their enemies. Although surrounded not only by powerful native foes, but by the colonies of other European States, for the first 150 years of their existence, they undertook the entire cost and responsibility of their own defence. They did more —-they captured territory from the French and handed it over to the Crown. Nova Scotia, without any help from England, was taken from the French in 1710. The result was that a national spirit was cultivated, a race of warriors and statesmen trained equal in all respects, as subsequent events proved, to those of old European States. Wo hear much just now in New Zealand of the necessity of cultivating a manly and independent spirit. Nothing would contribute more to this result than the recognition on the part of our rulers that we must depend on ourselves for our defence.