The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1291, 9 May 1878, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1878.

" The New Zealand Ministers reply to Her Majesty's Government that the colony will undertake the expense of the proposed armament, and Her Majesty may rest assured that her New Zealand subjects will, in the event of any crisis, loyally and resolutely in all respects do their duty to the Queen and country." So writes the Premier in May, 1878. In December last, the same gentleman said in a memorandum to his Excellency, " they ] Ministers] feel satisfied that New Zealand could not at this moment incur any largo expenditure on public works for the defence of any of the harbours of the colony. They might, possibly, with but little warning, havo to make provision for resisting an internal enemy, who might prove much more dangerous than any external foe. The best means of providing against an internal enemy is tho expenditure of funds in civilizing the Natives * * and otherwise promoting friendly relations between the two races. They would therefore prefer to apply any funds available for defensive purposes to those objects, rather than devote such funds to costly works meant for resisting a foreign enemy. For the latter purpose, they trust confidently to the fleets of Groat Britain, which ftliey feel satisfied will never allow a foreign enemy to dominate in these seas." Tho change which has come over the opinions of Ministers during the last few months is evident enough from tho above extracts. Yet tho supremo importance of being prepared for war was apparont enough as long ago as December last. However, we are not disposed to quarrel with tho Government for tho change of front exhibited lately. We only hope that they will not confine themselves to an expres. sion of loyalty to the Queen and country, but thai they ;will take vigovouj

action. The people of the colony have a right to know what is being done. Are the various portions of the colony to bo supplied with small arms and ammunition with the least possible delay. It is not enough to call tho colony to arms, for however well drilled our defenders might bo, they cannot oppose the enemy without the materials of war. We havo said that it is tho duty of the Government to take tho people into iheir confidence in this matter. More especially is this the case when it is remembered that the despatch from which we havo quoted has been commented upon in England. We havo thus proclaimed to the world at large our defenceless position, and we have invited the visit of a Russian war-ship the moment hostilities commence. It is probably too late to repair tho harm thus dono to the best interests of tho colony. But the Ministry which has dono tho mischief should, now that they havo come to their sensos, strain every nerve to make up for lost time, and what is more to make it known in England that they are doing so.

A few days back we referred to the delay which has occurred in the completion of public buildings hero, though urgently required. The plans for ono to which wo did not refer havo since been completed, viz., the additions to the Lunatic Asylum. For months past the s rate of the male wards of the Asylum, which aro located in tho old and dilapidated wooden building, has been such as almost cemplotely to neutralise the efforts of the Superintendent to offect a cure. Owing to the number of patients being far in excess of the accommodation, they aro huddled together in tho wards, and uso has to bo mado of the day rooms for sleeping apartments. We are apt in Canterbury somewhat to plume ourselves on the excellence of our institutions, more especially with regard to the ono wo are now referring to. It is true that tho now wards which havo been erected are both commodious and well arranged. But the malo part, which is now the subject of the remarks wo foel called upon to make, is far from being either ono or the other. There is no moans of classification, and the crowded stato prevents that remedial treatment which could otherwise be given, and which in many cases might result in cure. This stato of things has not been unknown to tho Government. Time after time the reports of the official visitor, and also the superintendent, have contained allusions thereto. But still nothing has been done. In the meantime it may be that opportunities of effecting cures of one of the direst maladies possible have been lost—lost too never to return. Now a step has been taken in tho preparation of the plans, but experience in tho wonderful dealings of Government with tho matter of public buildings has taught us that this is but a small step in advance. But while this is so, Ave venture to express a hope that this case will be an exception to tho general rule. The present state of the male side of the Asylum should not be allowed to continue one day longer than is absolutely unavoidable.