THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3542, 3 May 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1880.

It has been a custom with us Englishmen to look upon our empire as being a real empire—different in many respects to other and lesser states. But the question is, what do we mean by a real empire? A real empire should be a complete and perfect organisation of its whole strength, so that, in a case of necessity, it can be brought, at the right moment, to bear upon an assailant, enemy or invader. Except on paper, there is in reality no British Empire. Certainly, we are au empire territorially. But, have we an army composed of as many free units as constitute the empire itself? Have we thought out, begun, or decided on any plan to provide for common action in the event of a gigantic conflict involving our existence? We have no regular system of attack except theoretically. Have we arranged for an imperial navy, composed of tributary squadrons P Have we perfected a system of self-defending arsenals and coaling stations, where our merchant* men can take refuge from the hostile ships,, and where pur men-of-war can revictual? Are there no assailable and practically undefended parts of the empire, sure to be despoiled if we should ever be engaged in any serious or prolonged European contest. As we ask each of these questions, we become dismayed with a painful consciousness of weakness in these respects. There is great difficulty in drawing the attention of the politicians to these questions, as they, like all Britons, are conscious of the strength of the British Empire. It has been customary to bestow on England the high title of " Queen of the Seas," and " Mistress of the World," and such like high-sounding names These applications are not by any moans.unjustifiable, but the English nation have grown so conscious of England's strength as to be careless, and if spoken" to on the subject, reply by using the self-same phrases eulogistic of the nation's strength. But let us consider the questions more carefully. Take the late disturbance in South Africa for sake of example. It appears that the idea held, is that it is eusier to make our possessions at the Cape Unas-

sailable, by crushing the swarthy Zulus, than by organising tho defensive forces of the Colony, aud getting their governments to look upon themselves as parts of a great whole, whose vital ceutre is the British Isles. It may -be better on the face of it to look for the " scientific frontier " of our Indian Empire, so much spoken of by Lord Beaconsfield, than to complete and develop the internal defence of the Empire in the East, and to alter the laws which make the British and Indian armies distinct, and amalgamate the whole, as it is more easy to do anything absurd, or to create a panic, than to attend to affairs from which no immediate glory can be obtained. Thus we have the control of large forces, which may operate for good or evil, but iv regard to which we have no regular system of action, except on paper. We might break our heads in bombarding a fortress like Sebaslapol, whilst a more discreet enemy would avoid Malta, and attack the vulnerable positions of our Empire, such as the West Indies. They would fight shy of Gibraltar, and, come down on our wealthy Colonial cities in Australia, New Zealand, or the Cape. Should a war break out between England and any European Nation, she would be placed at a great disadvantage in not having organised a complete system of Colonial defence. A war breaks out, the enemy's ironclads, three or four in number, suddenly swoop down on Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland, and what is the result? .Either those cities have to pay a few millions of pounds sterling, or the towus are blown about their ears. The defences in the colony would be simply useless in case of war, as the two or three cruisers which, guard our. harbour, would be blown into the air with two or three shots from a 38 ten gun. This demonstrates how necessary it is, to form a system of colonial defence in which we should not have to be dependent on the Home Government for naval strength. Should a foreign gunboat approach the Thames, what use would our Naval Brigade or Volunteers be? A few shot and shell from the enemy would destroy the Thames, and the enemy would move off after wishing us a polite good morning. It cannot be said that we are a real empire until these things are looked into and remedied. The great thing to be done would be a grand scheme by which a resident in New Zealand, Australia, the Cape, or Canada, would feel himself as vitally a unit in the Empire as if he had lived in London, had an estate in the British Isles, and a seat in the House of Lords. And this is not only possible, but it is absolutely necessary in order that the glory of England should be kept up, and if such a state of things is not brought about within the ensuing half century, the power and glory of England will fade. Power in Asia Minor, Egypt or Afghanistan will not be any compensating equivalent. When we extend our territories we should increase our offensive and defensive powers of warfare, or if we do not we lessen our strength by the extra acquisition of territory. Let the powers we have at command be well organised, and we shall be mighty, irressistible—the veritable mistress and arbiter of the world. Let this be carried into effect and we need not fear Russia, Germany or France or any combination of them. But without this change is made, we shall sink from being one of the foremost powers to a second or third rate, and our word, now feared and respected, will be taken no heed of. The time has come for action, and unless something be done in making every Englishman united to his fellows^ mo matter in what part of the globe they may be in—Grreat Britain will not command, in a short time to come, the homage she does now from other nations.

The San Francisco mail steamer is expected to-mo<row,

The Rev. Mr Lush preaching last evening in St. George's Church, remarked that it was a peculiar circumstance that there should be no holiday on Ascension Day—a most important da;y with the Church, and that the anniversary of St. George and St. Patrick, two saints of doubtful character should he kept up. He said he hoped that Government would see their way to making it a public holiday. For the convenience of business men there will be a celebration of the holy eucharist at 8 o'clock, and a ful choral service will be held in the evening.

The Rev. Father O'Reilly officiated at the Willoughby street Catholic Chapel yesterday morning. He preached a homely and instructive sermon" from the epistle of the day. He said that there was a habit of backbiting common among the members of his flock, which he trusted would be forgotten. A man said sneering things about his neighbour, and 'so mischief spread. He felt bound to give the admonition to the congregation, as he felt they were doing wrong. They asked God every Sunday to forgive them their trespasses because they forgave others. What a mockery ! How could the" members of the congregation expect to be forgiven when they asked forgiveness with a Ho on their tongue. The rev. father concluded by exhorting his hearers to bear with others' faults and love one another. If our ecclesiastical worthies would follow the example set by the reverend father and preach practical instead of theoretica Christianity, a much greater amount of good would be felt by the members of the congregations attending the various places of worship.

We hear that our spirited citizen, Mr Holden, watchmaker, of Owen street, has presented the Thames Scottish with a very handsome silver .hunting lever watch —to be fired for on. terms to be arranged by the battalion officers. The donor undertakes to keep the watch regulated for 12 months.

At the competition for prizes of the Thames Rifle liangers on Saturday, the following gentlemen obtained prizes: — Ist prize, Sergeant Gibbs, 54 points, given by Mr It. Hawkes, Tapu; 2nd,. Corporal Buckley, 54, given by Mr B. Brown, of Botokohu; 3rd, Vol. G. Tetley, 53, given by Messrs Martin and Son, Pollen street; 4th, VoL A. Buckley, 53, given by Mr J. Cocks, Mary street; sth, Vol. K. Long, 51, given by Mr Dalziel, Mary street; J, McKee, 51. There were three sets of ties in the

match, the first, third, and fifth prizes being won by the highest scorer at the last range.

On Saturday last, tho Scottish Battalion fired for Mr Dufty's prize; the match also counting the first in the aggregate for Lieutenant Perry's. The firing was in two squads, morning and afternoon. The morning men fired under a great disadvantage, as the mist was very thick during most of. the time and did not clear until tiejr the finish about 11 o'clock. The target was almost invisible even at 400 yards ; and but for the careful marking of the district marker Potts, the shooting would have been almost impos sible till later irk the day. The top scores were :—Price, 69 ; McLeod, 69; Grey, 67. Price wins Mr Dufty's prize, and stands first for Mr Perry's. The ranges on Saturday were 200, 400, 500 yards. The next and concluding match for the Perry piize will be 400, 500 and 600, yards. A very handsome picture is also being fired forjby young shots, the gift of Vol. Vangemert of No. 2 Company.

The Free Lance perpetrates the follow ing local atrocity:—" The road to Komata won't be made, as it is not Komatable at present.

A Thames gentleman recently returned from a visit to Ngarawahia, Waikato, states that the genotal appearance of the country is in favor of its being auriferous, and thinks vigorous prospecting might unearth something.

By a cablegraphic despatch we learn of the safe arrival in Sydney, to day of the Te Anatt.

Pbofessor Taylor and Lillie gave another of their exhibitions at the Academy of Music on Saturday night. The exhibitions given by the professor and Lillie were good, but would compare unfavorably with the evolutions performed by some of the home amateurs.

Jurymen, as a rule (says a Timaru paper), are not remarkable for any great perspicacity. In a recent case tried in Timaru, some of the jurors were not aware what their verdict really was until they saw it published in the papers.

It would appear that the "wisest of men " is not exempt from criticism, as will be seen in the Sydney Telegraph -.—The lecture by Mr Charles Bright at the Theatre Koyal on Sunday evening was entitled " Solomon the Sultan," being the ninth of his series on Bible stories. Mr Bright gave an interesting sketch of the condition of Judea at the time of the death of David, and of the conflicting priestly factions, the one siding with Adonijah, the elder son of David, and the other, with Solomon. He criticised the claims set up for Solomon, as the possessor of superhuman wisdom, by referring to his alleged writings, his government of the nation, and his life. The first, he contended, contained many contradictory and fooHsh aphorisms ; the second landed the people in over-taxation and rebellion ; and the third terminated in unexampled debauchery and despair.

A begul/AB Handy-Andy type of Irishman came into the clerk's office at the Besident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, a few days ago, and asked for a summons. " Against whom ?" asked the assistant clerk. " Shure I dou't know," was the queer reply. " But how can we grant you a summons if you don't tell us who it is you want summoned ?" " Bedad, now I remember; it's the man what does the railway work." "That won't do," said the clerk, " Fou must make out two copies of your account and bring them here, and then we can issue the summons ; not until." The man scratched his head and then went away. In about an hour he returned, and handed in to the clerk a new slate, on which was scrawled—" I, Pat^ , claim the sum of £6 19s for work done on the railway neafCarterton. Signed, Pat ." In the left hand lower corner of the slate a shilling postage stamp was stuck. The clerk smiled, and told the simple-minded fellow that he had better come later in the day, when Mr Mansford would be disengaged, and could have a talk with him. The man left his original account, and promised to come back and see the Magistrate.