COLONIAL DEFENCES.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 19, 23 May 1877, Page 2

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

I-i a recent number of Ibe Spectator, there is an article which, in estimating the military strength of the €ffar's immense empire, says that the Russian nary, being for the most part stationed in- the far East, would have very little effect on a i contest in Europe, and that the utmo3t it could do would do would be to " worry Australia." Beferring a second time ta this statement, the Argus says Australia does not desire io be worried, Thfl more important provinces have provided liberally, so far as money is coa« corned, for their own internal defence, and are fully prepared to undertake the responsibility of meeiting any attack that may be made on^their shores. They think, however, that, looking at their relation to tlio paramount power, and at the magnitude of British interests in these waters, they have a right to ask the Imperial Government to keep such naval force on the Australian station 33 would suffice to secure the capture or destruction of any i squadron or single ship on the road to i molest us before it could do auy harm. We ought at least ta have one or two swift sea-going ironclads in addition to the antiquated wooden corvette's at present under (he commodore's command, and perhaps it would be as well, while matters remain in their present unsettled condition, if the various Vessels i were kept more in hand, and not sent cruising amongst the South Sea Islands, where they are beyond recall under some weeks. The regulation of the "labour trade" may well be left for a few mouths in charge of the various officers commanding the war schooners which were built for the Admiralty in Sydney for this special service. We throw out these suggestions not in any sense as alarmists, but simply as foreseeing certain immediate possibilities, and desiring to have provision made for the maintenance of the national honor at the extremities as well a& at the centre of the empire. We trust the day may be very far distant when our resources shall have so utterly failed as to compel us to claim that " last ship " and that "last shilling " which have been pledged for our defence, but we certainly do look now for adequate naval protection. With reasonable assistance we have no doubt of being able to give a good account of any assailants who may try to " worry " us; bat certainly it would be neither politic nor just to expose us to the risk ofa seperate defeat through neglect to make timely provision for our succour.