DEFENCE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1301, 21 May 1878, Page 3

DEFENCE.

To the Editor of the Qldbe. Sin, —This morning's editorial of the "Press" deserves serious consideration, but I for one do not hold entirely with the views expressed, although taken as a whole the writer and myself aro in accord. 1 quite agree with him that our Government are greatly to blame for the supineness shown by them regarding the defence of the colony, and I am also convinced that the Government, instead of treating Mr Ilarman's telegram as they did, should have eagerly accepted the offer of service from old hands (I s&y old hands, because amongst those who are ready

to come forward are many old soldiers of the regular service, besides those who have served through the New Zealand war in the colonial forces). I think the Q-overnment were most decidedly wrong in not availing themselves of the services of Sir W. Jervois and Colonel Scratchley, when placed at their disposal, and I may say for this simple reason—Sydney has no harbour nearer than Broken Bay (to tho north), still the Now South Wales authorities thought it good enough, to use a colonial phrase, to send both Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchley there to report iipon the necessary requirements, and, if I remember correctly, Sir W. Jervois, in his report, tells the Government of New South Wales that tho present Volunteer force, to be used as ho suggested, would be sufficient to withstand any force an enemy could land, but at the same time he recommended an increase of the Now South Wales army (known as the Permanent Artillery), and his ideas were carried out without a day's unnecessary delay. With regard to our ports : Nelson should certainly be protected as well as the four ports mentioned, but again a question arises in my mind—Would it bo worth the while of a strange vessel to go there at all ? Certainly she might get into the port without a pilot, but she would be much more likely to get on the boulder bank, and I don't think that many captains would be sufficiently under the influence of the God of War to risk their vessels by lying outside to shell the place. Respecting tho other places mentioned, viz., Bluff and West Coast ports, besides Timaru and Oamaru, there need be no concern for them. Nature, in giving them bar harbours in some instances and in others no harbour at all, has kindly fortified them against even the most piratical individual that ever sailed a ship. Tho imminence of war may be over passed, as the Hon. Mr Ballance said in addressing his constituents (I presume he meant the question of war between England and Russia). But will any sane individual say that we may not have war any day, and in the present state of Continental affairs at any moment; not only between Britain and Russia, but almost between Britain and most if not all Europe. Diplomatic questions are more dangerous to bet upon than are yearling colts entered for some forthcoming Derby, and Europe may ere long let New Zealand into a secret which has been maintained inviolate or nearly bo during the whole of the present or proposed negotiations. But whether the present question agitating Europe be decided in favour of war or peace we should most certainly be prepared for any emergency. Tho mere fact of England raising and recruiting her army and navy to much above the ordinary war footing, is causing other nations to do the same, and I am much mistaken if, after the expenditure already incurred (or being incurred), the British people will remain quiet without having a slap at some one, even if tho some one does not come forward with a definite and distinct challenge. Sir Garnet Wolseley, the man who ought to know, as he is the nominated commander-in-chief of our army, says that his force was never in a better condition in the annals of history, and the world at large concedes to us the supremacy at sea, and these facts taken into consideration, with the avowed British feeling as evinced by Lord Beaconsfield's majority and success in elections, ought to show us at the antipodes that sooner or later war, and a fierce one too, will come. I did not intend to occupy so much of your space, but tho subject must be my excuse. I am, &c, F. Christchurch, 16th May, 1878.