RUSSIA AND AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 183, 8 July 1854, Page 10

RUSSIA AND AUSTRALIA.

(From the "Sydney Empire."] A correspondent, whose letter we published in yesterday's issue, has called our attention to the following letter which we have copied from the Spectator, January 28, and which we beg to recommend to our readers as a wholesome comment on the Governor-General's message : — Sir, —I remark that in all the speculations put forth as to the results of a war with Russia, it is taken for granted that at sea, at least, we have little to fear from such an enemy ; and, as nothing is so dangerous as a false fsecurity, it may be useful to call the public attention to certain weak points, the neglect of which may prove a source of infinite damage and disgrace to the nation. I know not what may be the exact strength of the British squadrons in the Pacific and Southern Oceans, but I know that they are very inadequate to protect the British possessions there; which are at the same time the most valuable and the most defenceless on the face of the earth. I shall say nothing of the smaller Settlements of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand ; which, however, are equally well entitled to the protection of the mother country which demands their allegiance, but shall limit my remarks to the more important points of Port Jackson, Port Philip, and Hobarc Town ; all of which, though by nature adapted for easy defence, are at present at the mercy of any man of war or privateer that may be in that part of the world, and would afford a booty to the spoiler unknown since the days of Anson and the Spanish galleons. The last ship from Sydney brings the intelligence that the Russian corvette Dwina had been makingsome stay there; and we also know that the two Russian ships of war lately refitted at Portsmouth were on their way to strengthen the Russian squadron in the Pacific. No doubt, we should hear, before the termination of the war, of the destruction of this squadron, and of the capture of all the Russian possessions in

America; but in the mean time, the Russian squadron may give the world a repetition of the barbarities committed at Sinope; and Sydney, Hobart Town, and Melbourne, with all the' magnificent mercantile marine ,now in their harbours, may be utterly destroyed withoutthe risk to the enemy, incurred at Sinope, of being damaged by the fire of an inferior fleet "and inefficient batteries. We are very ready to censure the Turks for their culpable negligence in leaving the port of Sinope inadequately defended, but what measure of censure do we merit who leave flourishing cities,'with upwards of ten millions sterling in the banks, Without a gun to defend them ? Nature has done everything to render the Australian harbours defensible, but no advantage has been taken of this circumstance ; and as the colonists have no guns, they cannot suddenly profit by their fortunate position. Detached from England, they would run no risk ; how can we expect them to sacrifice their interests, nay their existence^ to their loyalty? Colonies not protected must protect themselves by a declaration of indepenidence. There is no time to lose : steamerjs should be immediately sent out to protect the Australian colonies and their invaluable commerce; and guns and ammunition should also be sent, for the purpose of giving the colonists the means of protecting themselves in the absence of ships of war. As regards the mercantile marine, there will be no freights for sailing vessels in case of war ; the steamers will brin«home all the specie and other valuable freight, as they will require ho convoy and small insurance. Let the owners of steamers look to thi's in time, and be ready to profit by "their advantages. A war will render sailors abundant, as sailing ships will find few cargoes. I'have already trespassed too far to say any more. ' : ■ Your obedient servant, R. G. London, 26th January, 1854.