COLONIAL DEFENCES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5260, 1 February 1878, Page 7

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

(From the Press, of January S.) Our Australian neighbors are taking time by the forelock. Alarmed by the recent telegrams, which point to the probability of England becoming involved in the Turoo-llnssiau war, they are bestirring themselves actively with measures for self defence. And they are wise in so doing. The position of affairs in Europe is certainly ominous. We still see reason to hope that Great Britain will escape being drawn into war ; but it is evident that she is near the verge, and that a step or two further may commit her inevitably to the fatal plunge. In these circumstances the Australian colonies think it time to be in readiness. In Victoria they are especially alert. Unfortunately, the plan recommended by Colonel Jervois, which was agreed to by the Government and- the money appropriated by the Legislative Assembly, became the subject of a misunderstanding between the two Houses, and has fallen through in consequence. But the Government seem determined to do the best they can. We heard the other day that the commanders of the land forces and of the floating battery, the Cerberus, have attended a Cabinet meeting to advise Ministers as to the defence of the colony ; and now we learn that they are using all the gun cotton procurable in the manufacture of torpedoes, to be laid down in the channel for the protection of the harbor. It is evident that the Victorian Government do not mean to be taken by surprise. If they cannot carry out the whole of the measures recommended, they will accomplish all that is practicable. Whatever happens, Melbourne will be well prepared. Meanwhile, what is Now Zealand doing? As usual, nothing at all. ’The two Imperial officers were engaged to report on the defence of the harbors of the colony, but their services have since been dispensed with. A correspondence took place on this subject just before the close of the session, and, by the desire of the Governor, was submitted to the Assembly. Towards the end of November the Governor received a letter from Sir W. Jervois, announcing his intention to visit New Zealand in December, and suggesting that it would he convenient if the Ilinemoa were sent to fetch him from Hobarton. The Governor forwarded the letter to Ministers, who replied shortly that- the Hinemoa was wanted at home, and could not be scut to Hobarton. On the 29th November Sir W. Jervois telegraphed to ask if the Hinemoa could be placed at bis disposal during January for the purpose of visiting the several ports. Ministers again replied with a curt negative. The Hinemoa was required for other purposes, was all they condescended to answer. It was not until the Government took exception to the extreme discourtesy with which they were treating Sir W. Jervois that their real object was made known. They did not wish him to come at all. The state of the finances compelled them to avoid expenditure as much as possible, and they were satisfied that New Zealand could not afford to incur any largo expenditure for tho protection of its harbors. They further alleged the extraordinary reason that a native war was to- be apprehended. The colony, they informed his Excellency, might with but little warning have to make provision for resisting an internal enemy ; and any fnuus available for defensive purposes ought to he employed in providing against the internal foe, in confident trust that the fleets of Great Britain would be a sure protection against foreign aggression. They therefore requested that such a communication might be made to Sir W. Jervois as would be the means of postponing his visit to New Zealand. The Governor seems to have felt much annoyed by this request. He plainly gave Ministers his opinion that the decision they had come to was “ one which is little calculated to raise the credit of the colony abroad.” Of course, however, he had no option but to act on bis Ministers’ advice ; and so the promised visit and report of Sir W. Jervois are postponed sine die.

There are two things to be noticed in this correspondence. The first is the marked incivility of Ministers. Whatever may be thought of Sir W. Jervois' desire that the steamer should be sent for hii.n to Hobarton, his request that he might have the use of it while inspecting the harbors was perfectly reasonable. The style in which the Government conveyed their refusal was simply disgraceful. The offence seems to be that the request was addressed to the Governor, not to the Premier. Sir G. Grey’s animosity against the Governor is so great, that it betrays itself on the smallest occasions. Directly be comes into communication with his Excellency, his temper and manners desert him at once. It is most humiliating to the colony that a public man who occupies the highest official position in' the country cannot transact any ordinary business without discrediting himself by an exhibition of petty personal jealousy. The other noticeable point is the nature of the reasons assigned for declining the proposed visit.! The Hinemoa, says. Sir G. Grey, is wanted for other purposes. Eor what purposes? We all know how the Hinemoa was engaged last month. She carried Sir George from- Wellington to Napier to Auckland, ami to the Thames, and is bringing him back via Tanrauga and Poverty Bay. He is next to come to the Middle Island, beginning with the West Coast. This is the service for which the Government steamer was reserved—to carry the Premier on a sort of electioneering tour, in the course of which he might display himself in the chief towns, and be the object of popular demonstrations, all with the view of tho political capital to be made for next session, and tho subsequent dissolution. We are not suprised that, when asked in the House how the Hinemoa was about to be engaged, he was unable—let ns hope ashamed—to answer. Then, again, as to the natives. How can Sir G. Grey reconcile his allusion to the probability of a Native war .with Mr. Sheehan’s statement ? Mr. Sheehan, speaking officially as Native Minister, in the broadest terms declared his conviction that there was no longer any reason to fear a native war. Even in the King country itself he did not think it would be possible to raise a force against the Europeans. He wished this to be generally known. Yet here we have Sir G. Grey referring to the war as an event that may occur at any moment, and describing the natives as an internal enemy against whom the colony needs all the funds available for defensive purposes, to protect itself. Tile two statements are irreconcilable. Unless Mr. Sheehan deliberately misrepresented tho state of things to tho House, this memorandum of Sir. G. Grey's, written in the name of Ministers, contains a distinct falsehood.

Tho fact is that the reasons assigned by the Government are mere pretences. They did not wish Sir W. Jervois to come to New Zealand, but had not the courage to say so outright; and they therefore endeavored to get rid of him by indirect means. They could have done nothing more stupid, nothing worse for themselves or for the country. Had they openly stated that there was no money at present available for defensive works, and that the procuring of a report without meaning to give effect to it was in their judgment a useless expense, their conduct would at all events have been straightforward. *Even those who did not agree with them would have allowed that they were acting on definite and intelligible grounds. But as it is, every one concerned is made to look ridiculous. By first trying to snub their unwelcome visitor, and then putting him off with excuses which, on

their own showing, are without foundation, they have presented ; themselves before., the public in a contemptible light, and, what is worse,' have damaged the , reputation of the colony. ■