THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2876, 4 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1878.

When Sir George Grey ignored the engagement of his predecessors, and refused to send the Hinemoa to convey Sir William Jervois to New Zealand to report on its defences, many people thought he was not only ; acting discourteously to the previous Ministry and the distinguished officer whose services had been placed at the disposal of the Government by the Imperial authorities, but that the interests of the Colony were sacrificed to gratify private pique. We know that Sir George Grey refused to allow the Hinemoa to meet Sir William Jervois, on the ground that the steamer would be required for " important services." These important services have turned out to be a ministerial progress—some call it a " stumping tour " —the. object of which seems to have been a desire to achieve personal popularity for the Ministry rather than the promotion of good government for the Colony. However, we have no desire to discuss that point. It was very generally believed that the Premier made a mistake in rejecting the services of Sir William Jervois, as the question of defences is one that should have occupied a larger share of attention long ago. It may not be too late yet to give some measure of security to the principal ports of the Colony, and it is with pleaure we notice the Government have awakened to the fact. The perusal of a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies (published in our telegraph columns), and the information following, will show that a change must have come over the Ministry in their views regarding the defences of the Colony. Although Sir George Grey did say a short time ago that he did not want to build batteries but make harbors (or words to that effect), and therefore had preferred to bring over Sir John Coode instead of Sir William Jervois, it may be that his colleague* have over-ruled his opinions in the matter. Evidently a change of policy has been adopted, for, acting on the recommendations of the Imperial Commission on the defence of the colonies, the Government have determined to order the necessary armament for land defences against foreign cruisers, and to take immediate' steps for making the same available. It may be that before long there will be serious cause for regret that this Lwas not done sooner. The principal cities of the Colony are absolutely at the mercy of cruisers carrying powerful armament. Some months must elapse before the guns ordered can be brought out, and placed in position in the batteries that require to be built, and there is no forcd to handle them when they shall have been obtained. * Even now war may have been declared by England against Russia. At any rate the situation is so critical that war may be declared at any moment, and there is a strong probability that if war does take place it will be over before New Zealand ports can be put in a state of defence; so that although the Government may be commended for taking steps in this direction at the last moment, should war be declared at Home, and New Zealand colonists have to suffer for their connection with England, it cannot be expected that the latter will recoup their losses when the Government for the time being refused the services of an Imperial officer sent out to report on the defences of the Colonies at a time when the chances of war were very remote. If Sir William Jervois' services had been taken advantage of, instead of administering to him a snubbing, the defences of the chief ports of the Colony might now have been in a forward state, and some forcible lesson could have been administered to a foreign cruiser should such make an appearance and try to blackmail the inhabitants. The subject of defences is an exhaustive one, and we. cannot to-day* go further into it thari noticing the promptness displayed by the Government at this late hour of the day. At some other time, we may revert to the subject, in relation to the arm of the. service required to maintain the defences proposed to be introduced.