DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1302, 22 May 1878, Page 2

DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

The following letter appears in to-day's "Press":— Sib, —I have made another attempt to obtain some information from the. Government on the subject of defence, but without success. The most I can learn is " that the Government have no doubt it will be prepared to meet the difficulty by providing the necessary war material for the use of Volunteers and Militia, and batteries to receive the heavy guns when they arrive." What the heavy guns are I am not informed, and I would remind the public that up to the present time, beyond the above reference to them in the Hon. Mr Fisher's letter, from which I have quoted an extract, we have received no official information on the subject. The Lyttelton Harbor Board, the Lyttelton Borough Council, and I myself as a private individual have now all endeavoured to elicit something from the Government which might encourage those whose lives and property may be exposed to danger, in hoping that assistance will be forthcoming. The result is about the same in each case, and I think it is time that we knew a little more of what our position will be in the event of war. The political horizon is darkening day by day. We read of Russian plans for arming privateers; all through the Australian colonies men are being enrolled, batteries erected, and the most vigorous preparations made to meet the coming storm. Everywhere but in New Zealand people are preparing, and I ask, what are we doing ? Why are the people kept absolutely in the dark as to the plans for our defence ? One might imagine that it is the Government and not each individual colonist who will have to fight and bear the brunt of any hostile attack which may be made upon our shores, that we are, in fact, merely children, who ought to be satisfied with being told that we shall be taken care of! Sir, I think there ia a limit to which forbearance should go. The times are too critical to allow any one to believe that it is manly, or wise, or even politic to delay our defence preparations any longer, and I venture to hope that the public will make its voice so plainly heard that the Government will be compelled at once to speak out, and to adopt such measures as may eerve to inspire the people with confidence that, in the event of war, the New Zealand ports shall not fall an easy prey to any Russian privateer. Yours, &e., R. J. S. Habman. May 21st, 1878.