IN FIVE YEARS TIME.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 19, 1 March 1907, Page 3

IN FIVE YEARS TIME.

+ We have received a number of letters from readers of the issue of February 15 th, bearing congratulatory sentiments towards our leading article which dealt with matters concerning our colony's defence, or rather with the absence of such. ATe Mata correspondent writes as follows : —"lt is incomprehensible to me that while the spirit of patriotism made its existence manifest, even to the extent of what is termed " Jingoism," w-hen our national prestige was threatened in South Africa, and men eagerly volunteered for service abroad, yet, when our shores are threatened, we willingly render our hearths and homes defenceless by the mere policy of doing nothing ! Let me say, right here, as Jonathan puts it, that the world is not as it was ten short.years ago. Events happen with startling suddenness, and, so sure as the sun shines, we will have the almond-eyed hordes upon us within just a few years. " New Zealand — absolutely defenceless." Thus the Jap military record. But not this record alone, for our channels and shoals, our harbours and coal depots are as well known in Tokio as in Wellington. Our Australian neighbours stared aghast when, during the recent visit of the Japanese squadron, our clever allies (oh, popular alliance!) suddenly swung their warships round among the treacherous channels of Melbourne harbour, and serenely anchored in the only''back water" available to perfect safety, not only regarding moorings, but to the aim of the local guns, not one of which could play upon a single ship ! And, when there, behold the decks cleared for action, and a prolonged practice taking place, the ships' batteries being trained upon Melbourne's vulnerable points! Small wonder our officers gnawed their moustaches in ill-con-cealed chargrin. Of course these ships were inside for a start, but will the Eastern foe tell us he is coming, and is not the Orient cunning beyond Western comprehension ? Allies of to-day are enemies of to-morrow, and is it not significant that even the arrogance of Jap sailors in colonial ports, is beyond question. Arrogance that finds vent in such sayings, that "Australia is a fine country —it will soon be ours." " What is your inland population ? Plenty of room for us ! " It is all very fine to wag the head and cynically smile, and to remark about "the slumbering British lion and its cubs. Suppose this lion be busily engaged fighting for its very existence, and on an empty stomach, against well matched foes, what becomes of the far away cubs ? What toothsome morsels for hungry dragons \ _ What can serve to arouse us, what pin prick will make us open our eyes from heavy slumbering? Do we know what the East is ? Do we know its moral codes, and, do we love our women ? A fig for the changes wrought in its vast populations by our Christianizing influences. Has the reader ever been inland in Japan, and does the same person possess any respect for his sisters ? All this apart from the mighty questions of Nation, Empire and Decay. Rome slept, though repeatedly warned by those who knew, and when the hordes came down, what happened to her Empire, the mightiest then on Earth ? " [To be at once practical we would commend those who realise the results likely to accrue from colonial defencelessness to join the organisation known as the " National League of New Zealand." This body aims at domestic peace through preparedness for war, and its propositions generally will find an ally iri every true New Zealander. The subscription is only one shilling a year. Address communications to Swansori street, Auckland.}