The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAECH 13, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 44, 13 March 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAECH 13, 1878.

It is somewhat singular that, while Victoria, steeped as she is iv political anarchy, is wisely taking tune bjf the forelock, and malting preparations for a rupture between England and one or more of the Continental Powers, New Zealand seems satisfied to maintain a masterly inactivity, and calmly await the course of events. It is true the cloud which lately overspread the horison appears to have cleared away, and the prospect . for the future wears a brighter hue. It may be Hrged : by some that what- ■ ever may be. tha result of the present peace negotiations, there is" very little probability of Great Britain /being drawn into the conflict ; aiid £.iliajb even if she were, the' Colonies ■1 wight entertain no fear from ttie agattacks of a. foe. Without /conceding either point, to our mind ;it is far better to, be prepared, to mest i*a, contingency ' which may. never ra.rise, than by trusting to vague pro- '[ bhbilities place ourselves at a disad T ■^vantage In the time of need, "'in to the opinion 'held/ * that England', can stand , a] oof ' ■ fro m ' • t;he struggle, it. is well, 'known that' "the British Government, have long -looked upon a, war with one or, more of the " Continental ' Powers as almost inevitable, Not, only has she piit her army .and. navy into astate ''of 'efficiency';" which foretells an iinipeuding struggle,' sooner or 'late i\ ibut. her militia 1 ; and Volunteers have m active drill, and have reached-, j^such a stage of . perfection ' as to'cajl iif.ortli i the warmest eulogiums, and. to. Uhspire a feeling; of tHe most ' implicit ' :cohfidence m their', •Crustworthine^s". 3A.s far, then, as Engiandis concerned need, be 'no apprehension, for' "with. su6h ! a..power to act on th'e'desFensivershe"' might, defy all 'attacks ; made upon herl But the very fact' such an immunity from, danger, ahi, the, f uiijity. of. any at-' tp.mpt upon her shores, onfy places Kp,'r dependencies in'tne" more critics position, as her 'foe's would. na T tj^ally seek to wound her m her

most vulnerable part; — her Colonies. the announcement that the Colonial Office propose to appoint a committee of naval and military officers to determine a plan for the defence of Colonial ports, we take leave to assert that the burden of the operations would fall upon the respective Governments, and past experience has proved that but little aid might be looked for beyond ourselves. If an example were wanting to establish the truth of the statement, it might bo found m the manner m which this Colony was treated' by the Home Government m the withdrawal of the last British soldier at a most critical period, and eontary to the most strenuous and urgent protests made agajust the proceeding. In tlie Australian Colouies the various Ministries do nob seam to view tlie events which have lately been convulsing Europe, with the same supreme indifference which the New Zealand Government are pleased to exhibit ; aud m Victoria especially a most commendable activity has been displayed m preparing for all contiugencies. Notwithstanding the fact that the Forts, and Armaments Bill, wliich had been introduced by the G-over.nment, was thrown out by the Opposition, the Premier has caused considerable sums to be expended m the purchase of war stores and the manufacture of torpedoes. The, iron-clad Cerberus, which had- been lying idlo m Hobson's Bay for the past half-dozen years has been fully munitioned, her crew made up to the maximun number, and thoroughly drilled m the working of her monster guns, and all ; available cannon forwarded to Queenscliff, to guard the approaches . to the harbour. Nor is his elder sister of New South Wales behind m putting herself- m a position of defence. ' But while such is the case elsewhere, ■ no such steps are seemingly deemed necessary to place New Zealand beyond the reach of danger. With all her principal cities on the coast line, and consequently withm range .o£ an enemy's frigate; the centres of population liable to be shelled ■ with ease ; and with far more natural facilities, given to an invading fprce i than Australia holds out, no steps have been taken to meet the danger. Parliament is m recess, the.' Ministry, one and all, are gone for a somewhat protracted " outing," ■ The triumphal tour is being prpceeded with, oblivious of auglit else save holiday making, and the!' safety 'arid security of the country is left to : Providence. There is, however, an old adage worth remembering which, says, " God helps those who helps themselves," and although we sincerely, trust that the dark cloud which has now. happily riffced may not form, together again, and that England ' may m the future maintain her neutral- position, as she has iti the past, without the sacrifice of either honor, or prestige, to be forewarned ought to be forearmed, and those who recklessly contemn a warning stand m danger of grievously repenting of their temerity. Situated, as we are, so far away from the scene of events, and when matters change and follow each other with all. the variety of the kaleidoscope, it is almost impossible to tell one day what the next may bring forth. It is well known that Germany bitterly regrets the leniency with which she treated her fallen Gallic foe, vainly imagining at the time that m imposing an indemnity of- five milliards of francs she. had forged fetters which, would hold her opponent m bondage for years to come.' France, on the other. hand-, can never, forget the loss of Alsace and Lorraine, or the ibime when tlie glorious eagles of her. Empire were made to bite the dust, nor the insulting swagger of the Prussian on the Boulevards. There is an old French maxim which.' says "that it is wise to go the farther back to make the greater spring," and that is evidently the policy of France at the present. She is biding her time, and bait sooner or later, a deadly revenge will be wreaked for all the degradation to which slie has been subjected. Information from Berlin r is to, the effect that "Bismarck is determined to, break up the French Exposition. To accomplish this he will urge Russia to demand impracticable terms, so as to necessitate English, interference. Germany will then send a, force to Russia. ' France, ; he believes, will not be able to resist this opportunity to attack Germany, i whereat he would, turn on. France, 1 an d i eo tn pie te the work begun, m the Franco-Prussian war, which did not leave France sufficiently, broken to suit G-eraiahy,". ' However,, it is just within' the rjingeof possibility that the " man of blopd ' and, i ron. " may fall into the same... mistake as His farmer.' opponent, Napoleon ' 111. m undervaluing his enemy's i'e- . sources.' France has been taught ik r better lesson m the past, 'and it' is ;that, and. that alone, which has been the cheek-rein upon her pent, up enmity, bu.t whicli 'sooner or later will burst forth, upon her Teutonic foe.. ' ' ••■••■