THE DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 916, 7 May 1878, Page 2

THE DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

DESPATCH FHOMTHE SECRETARY OF STATE FOH THE COLONIES. [By Eleuxuic T>elkgr4(>ix.] . Wellington, Friday. An important telegram was received by the Government, from the Secretary of Slate for the Culonies, on the subject of the defence of JSfew 1

I Zealand m the eveut of Great Britain becoming involved m war. Unfortunately, the wording of the message, owing to errors m transmissiou, is, m several respects so obscure that Ihe Government have telegraphed back to have the message repeated, and uuluckty the line was broken down just at this very critical period. This much, however, is clearly learnt from the telegram of Sir Michael Hicks Beach. The Imperial Government, on the first symptoms that was imminent, instructed a special committee of military and engineer officers to report upon the best means of defending the British Colonies m the event of England being compelled to go to war. This committee has reported, wish reference to New Zealand, that upon careful consideration, they have jome to the conclusion that a defence of this colony by sea is utterly impracticable, and should not be attempted. On the other hand, they recommend a system of land batteries at the four principal ports of New Zealand, viz. :— Wellington, Auckland, Lyttleton and Port Chalmers, by which fchey consider those gorts. practically could be defended against.' any class ot vessels at all likely to be despatched by a foreign power to these seas. They further estimate that twenty-two heavy guns, via., eleven 7-ton guns and eleven 64---pounders, of the pattern used on board Her Majesty's ships of war, would be sufficient to piovide an adequate armament foi the batteries above mentioued. They state (so far as can be gathered from the obscure wording of the telegram m this part,) that tue total cost of these 22 guns, including tbeir transport to New Zealand, the construction of the batteries, aud the mounting of the guns m the batteries, would be at the rate of about £2,000 per gun, £44,000 m all. This is practically the same course as that which the Government hid decided to adopt m the event of war being declared ; and as the present aspect of affairs m Eastern Europe is most menacing, Ministers have resolved to telegraph instantly to have (he 22 guns forwarded to New Zealand by the earliest opportunity. Should the present strenuous efforts of the British Government to preserve peace prove futile, and war become inevitable, the earliest possible intimation of this will be telegraphed to the Governors of the various colonies. It is the intention of the New Zeal And Government, should such a deplorable event occur, immediately on the nnwelcome news being received, to telegraph to Colonel Scratchley, requesting him to come over and advise the Government as to the distribution of the guns among the four ports indicated, their most effective disposal, tLe best plan of mounting them, locating the batteries, &o. It is intended, further to man the batteries with a body of ! local artillerymen, to be trained for the purpose. No time willl be lost m carrying out this plan.