DEFENCE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1288, 6 May 1878, Page 3

DEFENCE.

The following letter appears in this day’s “Press”:—

Sib, — I was glad to sec by the telegram in the “ Lyttelton Times” of the 4th inat. that the Government havo at last been aroused from the extraordinary apathy with which they havo treated the question of the defence of our harbors. Even now they only seem to go into the matter in a “ cow-hearted” manner, as if there was no immediate necessity for defensive measures, and as if we were for ever to be “at peace with ail men.” In the first place, it seems a most childlike utterance to say (alluding to a possible declaration of war) “It is the intention of the New Zealand Government, should such a deplorable event occur, immediately on the unwelcome nows being received, to telegraph to Col. Scratchley requesting him jto como over and advise the Government as to the distribution of the guns, &c.” At the present moment the odds are ton to one that old England has to fight that “great hulking Power” Russia, singlehanded, and so the news of the “ deplorable event” may arrive at any time. With this in prospect, wo might as well send over at once for Col. Scratchley, in order to avail ourselves of such valuable suggestions as an officer of his standing and ability is able to give us. Delay is dangerous; and under his instructions the position of the guns, and necessary works pertaining thereto, could be got ready prior to their arrival. In the next place, “It is intended further to man the batteries with a body of local artillerymen to be trained for the purpose.” The sooner the training of the local artillerymen begins the better. An artilleryman does not spring up like a mushroom, and wo have two or three guns here already which could be made available to instruct the “local soldiery,” so that when the guns arrive from England, the men would be able to handle them with tolerable efficiency. The total indifference with which the subject of defence is treated here is astonishing. Wo read of Canada having 10,000 volunteers ready to embark on foreign service in order to help old England (if war is declared) in her gigantic effort. Victoria has a very strong fortification at the heads, and a very good artillery corps. Sydney also is being well fortified, as well as other ports of Australia, all ready for tho impending struggle; and hero we are in New Zealand without a single weapon worth the name, totally at the mercy of any villains who like to pay us a visit. Any one who has road the two common sense letters of Mr Harman on this subject of defence, must agree with him on every point. The only danger to our ports is a visit from a privateer. The ships on our China station hold everything safe in that direction it is to be hoped, and I have no doubt tho commander of our Pacific squadron has his eye on the “terrible Russian fleet ” supposed to exist in those waters, but which exists really only in a morbid imagination. Still there is the great probability of a privateer evading the pursuit of our men-of-war and paying these ports a visit. It is absurd to suppose that the four or five ships on this station can be everywhere on such a vast aea-bord as Australia and New Zealand present, and it is only right that we should help the old country in every way we can in case of war. The crews of the Russian privateers would, no doubt, be men of the worst class, carrying their lives in their hands, and the ports they would honor with a visit would, no doubt, have a “ lively time” of it. Had the Hinemoa been sent to fetch Sir W. .Tervoise and Colonel Scratchley over here, when their services were available, to advise on our defences, tho New Zealand harbours would, no doubt, now be “ bristling with cannon,” and would have plenty of good artillerymen to handle the guns rou. Rut instead of this trip she went on another cruise ; and if a privateer in the event of war does come hero, tho people of New Zealand will bo afforded an opportunity of judging which trip of that vessel would have paid them best. I am, &c,, Oak Leap.