OUR DEFENCE SYSTEM. Wellington, July 7.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 4

OUR DEFENCE SYSTEM. Wellington, July 7.

Tim question of bho efficiency of tho defences oi the colony was raided in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr Valonfcino, who asked whether Government intend to ascertain our capability of resisting a sudden attack, and whether it was intended to supply the volunteers and permanont forces with a better class ot arms than at present. The Defence Minister in reply said the Governmerit had taken steps to put all the principal towns in a state of defence as far as practicable, The ammunition store was ample for all ordinary rerjuiremcnts.and the men at the guns were sullicient to Jorm the nucleus of a force which could thoroughly man the guns within a few hours' time. It was not intended to obtain a supply of the new arm which had been approved by the British Government. The old Snider was quite good enough for the colony at the present juncture. The volunteer forces could be mobilised at short notice by bringing into towns within five or six hours all volunteers within reasonable railway distance. The corps which were too far distant for this purpose would be formed into rifle clubs. To thoroughly man all forts would entail an expenditure of some £160,000 a year instead of £60,000 set clown in the Estimates. Mr Hutchison, who moved the adjournment of the House, said that our defences were in a most precarious condition, and those who accepted the Minidtor's statement lived simply in a fool's paradise. The present strength of tho permanent forces was much below that recommended by Major-General Schaw as indispensable, while Wellington was the only plaeo where they were backed up by the requisite auxiliary forces. A general discussion ensued, in the course of which the reduction of the volunteer capitation was widely condemned. The Defence Minister pointed oufc that General Schaw had stated in his report that pending the completion of the defence works it would not be necessary to make up the force to the full strength. He denied that the reduction of the capitation was the cause of the lossened enthusiasm of the volunteers, or that the force was less efficient than was the case three

years ago. It was desired to raise the Naval Artillery Companies to the highest state of efficiency consistent with the colony's means.