THE COLONIES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 832, 4 October 1870, Page 2

THE COLONIES.

The Hobart Town Mercury, of the 13th August, has au excellent article oij the position of the Australian Colonies with regard to defence in case of England being involved in a war. The Mercury says:— "The fact is present with us, and Australia must either trust to its insignificance to protect it from foreign attack, or be prepared to resist it. Though the Imperial Government have left us without any protection, Australia already occupies too important a position as a British possession to calculate on an immunity from the consequences of Britain's quarrels with foreign Powers. Is is in the nature of things that enemies of Britain should seek to wound her in these distant portions of the Empire, and thus we may suffer in a strife to which we are virtually not parties; but, should war break out, we feel satisfied that, harsh and unbending as the Imperial policy has of late been, towards the Colonies, we would not be long left to ourselves. We cap only be attacked from the sea, and a portion of the British navy would be speedily found floatr ing in our waters, to prevent any enemy obtaining a footing on our shores, or to punish the daring aggressors. But the punishment would be little satisfaction to those killed and pillaged. Britain's name and honor might be avenged, but Britain's subjects would have to pay the forfeit of their fealty to the British Crown by their lives and property. Though on any threatening of danger we should not be forgotten, relief might come too late. If the Colonies cannot protect themselves and repel an enemy during a protracted struggle, they ought to be at any rate in such a state of preparedness that they could give tjjejr attackers a warm reception, and keep them at bay till the thunder of the British cannon is heard in our waters. Australia is not only not prepared to guard itself against the sudden, irruption of even a very insignificant, enemy, but not one of the Colonies has, yet taken the initiative towards its own defenoe, We wish to speak of the teers with all becoming respect, but, whether with ourselves oy our neighbours, are they a force to be relied oq, even for defensive purposes ? Whatever they may be in the other Colonies, with us, were each colonist a volunteer, they would prove little protection along such an extent of coast, on which there are so many favourable points of attack. \t will not be denied that the late struggle ;n New Zealand, unaided by the Imperial troops, has inured a portion of the Colonial forces to hardship. But though they had been better fitted for following the Maories jnto their fastness thau they have proved, it will be at once admitted that the Colonial troops of New Zealand, till placed under better organisation, would b,e but of little avail in repelling a foreign foe, master of all recent improvements in the strategies and material of war; for that Colony, like our own, is too exposed for a successful of any attack from sea/'