The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5211, 4 December 1877, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1877.

The correspondence between the Governor and his Ministry, laid on the table of the House last night, is highly suggestive. That this colony cannot afford to carry out the arrangement made with the Imperial Government for securing the services of Sir William Jbrvois and Colonel Scratchley is simply absurd. But we cannot afford to laugh at the effect which the action of the Government will have in England. His Excellency very properly pointed out the danger which the colony incurred by neglecting the ordinary precautions necessary for self-defence. As an Imperial officer he could do no less than point out a danger which was not only of colonial but of Imperial concern. The suggestion of Sir George Grey that because the British fleet will protect us, therefore we should do nothing for ourselves, tends to justify the lowest opinion of this colony in England. The Times will announce to its readers all over the world that New Zealand alone of the Australian colonies declines to take any steps towards self-defence ; but few of those readers will be aware that the Premier of New Zealand lately wrote to the Colonial Secretary to request him not to allow her Majesty’s ships to bombard Auckland. Such is Sir George Grey’s confidence in the British navy. Unfortunately, we cannot believe that the question is one of economy. Before the Ministry thought of putting off the visit of the engineer officers, Sir George Grey informed the Governor in the curtest manner that the Hinemoa was wanted for other purposes than those suggested. It is but lately we were told that she was useless, but that was while Sir George Grey was in opposition. The fact is that such an opportunity of being disc "irteous to two Governors at one shot was iuo groat a temptation for Sir George Grey, and the colony has to suffer to gratify his gracious disposition. The friends of tho present Premier were very angry at the suggestion that the moment he got into office he would proceed to quarrel with the Governor, and then with the Imperial Government. Ho lost no time in undeceiving them, if they really believed that for the first time in his life he would refrain from quarrelling with those who have the misfortune of dealing with him. The absurd privilege question was his first effort ; and it will make our Parliament very ridiculous in the eyes of the world. This correspondence with Sir William Jervois will bring the Government into contempt ; and we have no doubt that Sir George Grey has more memoranda on the stocks, which will cost the colony a stiff percentage of interest when we negotiate our next loan.