THE DEFENCE OF AUCKLAND.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 271, 7 April 1898, Page 2

THE DEFENCE OF AUCKLAND.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent). Auckland, Lust Night. A DEPUTATION, representing the Auckland City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Auckland Harbour Board, waited on Mr Seddon re the question of the defences of Auckland. Mr W. J. Napier acted as spokesman. In reply to the deputation's requests for an additional 27 meu at Fort Purchase, a maxim gun, and 20,000 Martini-Henry rifles, the Premier said that it rested with Colonel Polc-Penton, the Military Commandant, and his recommendations were against the proposals made. "As long as I am in office, said Mr Seddon, emphatically, " I will never agree to a permanent paid force to the setting aside of the volunteers." If Colonel Pole - Pen ton had his way he would follow in the steps of his predecessor and there would be a complete concentration of the forces at the four chief ports with sufficient men to man the guns there, while the other places in the colony could trust to providence. It was quite true that for the same money, or a little more, Colonel Fox's idea could have been carried out, but it would have been at the sacrifice of volunteering. Regarding the suggested increase of volunteers' capitation, Mr Seddon said a recommendation had been made to the Government to increase the volunteer strength to 7000 men. That, at £lO per man, would be £70,000 a year for capitation. The Government had increased the capitation from 30s to £2 10s per year, and there was about as much chance of getting a £lO a year capitation agreed to by Parliament as there would be for him (Mr Seddon) to attempt to fly across the harbour. He would discuss the matter with the Minister for Defence when he returned to Wellington, but no question had been raised by Colonel Pole-Penton which had not been brought up and attended to.