THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2906, 8 June 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1878.

In a former article we commented upon the disposition recently evinced by the Government to place the principal ports of the Co'ony in a position of defence against foreign aggression, in contrast with the attitude assumed by the Premier when he had just attained to power and arbitrarily declined to sanction the employment of the Hinemoa in conveying Sir William Jervois round the Colony to report upon the best means of defence —a course of action to which the late Government had pledged themselves, and which met with almost universal approval. The reason given by Sir George , Grey for not granting the Hinemoa, and the subsequent employment of that expensive steamer, it is not. necessary further to refer to. The Government have by their late, action partially condoned their disregard of the Colony's defenceless position, if they have not atoned for their discourtesy to the previous administration, and Sir William Jervois as the accredited officer of the Imperial Government sent out to the Colonies on a most important mission. On receipt of the report of the Royal Commission on the defences of the Colonies, Sir George Grey's government acted with promptitude, but at the time there was a very great fear that the evils to be dreaded would be upon us before ordinary precautions to meet those evils could be taken. A war between England and Russia was imminent, and there was a probability that immediately on the declaration of war a number of privateers, as well as regular vessels of war, would be dispatched to the Pacific to prey upon the English and Colonial commercial marine, as well as to levy indemnities upon Colonial cities. Peace prospects are now brightening, and it is possible that the course pursued by the Government of this Colony—although undertaken at a very critical time —may not be too late to avert dire disaster, even if the Congress to be assembled should fail in securing a satisfactory settlement of the differences between Grrat Britain and Russia. The Defence Minister (Colonel Whitmore) on a public occasion lately repeated what has been published in substance in telegrams, namely, that the Government, acting on the recommendation of the Royal Commission — which comprised officers possessing a practical acquaintance with the requirements of New Zealand porls for defensif c purposes—had ordered by telegraph the necessary armament for the defence of the principal ports of the Colony, and that the same were on their way out. This is so far satisfactory, and we sincerely hope that the time is far dis. tant when such armament will require to be used against a foe. We learn, however, on very good authority that the Premier and his colleagues are alive to the necessity of making the best use of the " big guns " when they shall have been received, and that they propose to avail themselves of the services of gentlemen in New Zealand formerly in the Royal Engineers, with a view to construct fortications of a character calculated to be suitable for the expected armaments* and generally to provide against the possible visits of marauders in case of the Mother Country being involved in war. There are plenty of officers and men in New Zealand who have been through the course of arduous and scientific training peculiar to the force known as the Royal Engineers, whose services would be cheerfully placed at the disposal of the Govern* ment; and there are also men who formerly belonged to the Royal Artillery who would be invaluable as the nucleus of a small but permanent defence force of the Colony. This brings us to a question we promised to revert to, the nature of the force to be encouraged in the Colony. We say at once, that the principal arm of the volun. teei service in the Middle Island should be artillery —land and marine, and the Government aid should undoubtedly be in this direction. In the North Island, with a possible but not probable Native outbreak to contend with some day, rifle and cavalry corps may be deemed necessary ; but, as in the neighboring Colonies so in tins, the principal dependance should be placed upon artillery corps. It appears to us that in view of the time when the heavy guns ordered shall be received a small force of engineers for constructing fortifications should be raised, with a stronger force of artillery to man the same when finished. The best men procurable in each branch should be secured —sufficient tolceep the forts in efficiency, and to instruct the regular volunteers in similar duties and the training required; and, in order -to make the defences as formidable as possible, the volunteer corps in both islands sLould be encouraged to devote themselves to engineering and artillery work, as well as infantry drill. Should Sir George Grey carry out the idea he has'expressed himself favorable to, as indicated above, we believe that the recommendations of any commission ap. pointed would be in unison with the views herein expressed.