Colonial Defences.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 97, 27 March 1885, Page 2

Colonial Defences.

■■ r ,i •,.t...-* t , i ,,,,--. v.,v, ;.-:.: (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) r•> „ : 4lXjcklan^, March, $r. ] In a interview with a reporter the Governor, Sir W. Jervois, said the moat effective way m which the colonies could assist Great Britain if she were at war would be putting all their ptarts m an efficient state:' of defence. If. -these ports were properly defended' they',- would be of great assistance to the Imperial navy, but the British Government; would hesitate to send a vessel to any port which was not adequately defended, and where it might be oyergowered by 5 .a^uperior force. * It would 'appear "from the'eable'grams* that there really is considerable danger of waibwith Russia, vfrojn[- the action taken up by tn&l I>bwerV Russia seems to have played, fast and loose with us m reference to the boundary question. Russian, troops- have- advanced to certain -points, and say, " Here Wjb ftre r and wk are going to stop here ; you can take what course . you like." I remember on6e having a conversation with German officer of rank, who, like, most ., of his class, was a though trul arid careM'man, and he expressed opinion without hesitation, that sooner or later. England and Russia would como,.jnto .conflipj;*,, Irx India it was only, a, qnestion] ,of time. The questiou is now whether that time ■has come. It seems to be one of .Russia's objects to gain access to the' ocean' at the Black Sea and' Baltic .' She is hemmed m, and it is no doubt a great object .with her to reach, the!ejce&n,at> .^ie -Persian Gulf. You might state, said ins Excellency, I am afraid I shall not "Be able to visit Auckland and reside here for some time, as I proposed doing. I regret it, but m the present position of affairs it will be necessary for me to remain at headquarters; Of course, if all this danger of war blows over, I may be able, to come to-Aucklaiad=for : a Short time.