THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. Monday, January 14, 1907. THE NEED OF DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8331, 14 January 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. Monday, January 14, 1907. THE NEED OF DEFENCE.

The statement'published a few days ago, and made by the New York correspondent of the Melbourne Age, to the effect that the Japanese had taken an option over the 'Frisco mail steamers and would ultimately acquire the line, created some little attention until it was authoritatively stated that there was no truth in thf report. The incident, however, calls to mind the dangerous and peculiar position in which the Australasian colonies are situated in regard to' Japan, and especially so in view of the treaty that exists between Great Britain and Japan. We have in New Zealand a Defence Council, comprised of "Generals" of various'orders and ranks; in fact, owing to the wonderful defence policy of the Government we have enough generalissimos to excite the envy of any properly-consti-tutioned South American State, which goes in for an annual war, with the object, no doubt, of maintaining and stimulating a healthy interest in politics, and more particularly to- demonstrate the economic waste involved in war. But highsounding titles and anti-Japanese legislation would not be of the least protection in' the fierce hour of war. It is then that weapons and men are necessary, and the weapons must be of the best, and they must be skilfully used, which implies ( that the defenders of the country must be well - trained if they are going to succeed in protecting all that is dear to the, nation. "Treaties are only made to be broken," and who is there who can predict how lasting the present alli-

ance between Great Britain and Japan will be. The attitude of the Australasian colonies certainly does not tend in the direction of strengthening that alliance, yet their antialien policy is completely justifiable, and is so on the plea self-pre-servation alone, apart from other cogent reasons. Assuming that a very. unexpected change in international affairs occurred, and we awoke one morning to find that Great Britain and Japan were at loggerheads. What would our position be? Would New Zealand be able to protect herself, or would she rely largely, practically altogether, upon the Motherland defending her against the Japanese. The Motherland might be able to protect us, but the possibilities are that she would not be able to do so. What then would be the fate of New Zealand if Japan desired to annex the country, and to pour into it in a few millions of her "surplus" population? Where would all our beautiful legislation be, what could our generalissimos do, what, indeed would become of Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Massey? The present defenceless state of this country is a very grave question, and it is one which, in our humble opinion, calls i for immediate and vigorous action. If w2 are to be able to help ourselves in war, we must prepare for hostilities, and in no uncertain manner, in days of peace. Glancing down a column of recent Cable news the two followirg messages caught our attention:—"London—The Daily News asserts that sixty per cent, of the shells supplied by private contractors for British thirteen and eighteen-pound-ers are defective owing to improper fixture of the cordite sticks. Tokio —The Japanese estimates provide for an army increase of four divisions." The efficiency of Great Britain's navy and army to protect her commerce and to attack the enemy at some distant spot, if necessary, seems to be problematical, judging by the differences of opinion expressed by "competent" authorities. That Great Britain would be unable to protect her world-wide possessions, if she became involved in a great struggle, seems to be,' practically, certain, and it may be assumed, therefore, that the most distant parts of the Empire would be left to look after themselves for a ,time at any rate. Japan has recently proved to the world that both her navy and army are immensely powerful, and in first-class fighting order. The attitude of the Australasian colonies is anti-Japanese. and, consequently, the policy that should" be pursued is obvious.