The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-03-16
Colonial Defences,

A curious course has been lately adopted by
the New Zealand Ministry of which Sir George
Grey is Premier. 1t appears that the British
Imperial government of st. Stephens had sent
out Sir William Jervois TO the Australian Colonies,
to report on a plan for their defences, and Sir
William was engaged in the discharge of this duty
when. in order to proceed to New Zealand, he
applied to Lord Normandy for the use of steamer
belonging to the New Zealand government, Sir
George Grey's administration decided to refuse
the request. on the grounds that, as they did not
intend to vote any money for the defences of New
Zealand, it was useless for Sir William to come
to their colony at all. Sir George further stated
to Lord Normandy that his administration looked
to the British imperial government for the pro-
lection OF the colony, with war ships, in case
of danger from foreign attacks. Lord Normandy
was asked to intimate to Sir William Jervois the
decision of Sir George Greyis Ministry. 1t is
likely that this policy OF the New Zealand gov
eminent, will lead to hot discussions in Great
Britain, where a strong party is in favor of cast
ing the British colonies adrift, leaving them to
steer their own ship of state. This is the colonial
policy of the wings, while the tories and Lord
Carnarvon, the secretary for the Colonies, are
working to establish four or five great groups
of British Colonies, under a federal flag. as has
been done in British North America, through
Lord Carnarvon's exertions recently a letter
appeared in the New Zealand papers not long
since inviting Sir George Grey to proclaim New
Zealand a /" Republic" and become its Grst
President. In the same connection tbat of the
Colonial delences-the Canterbury IN. ~ Press
says:
Our Australian neighbors are taking time by
the forelock. Alarmed by the recent kilograms,
which point to the probability of England becom-
ing involved in the Turco-Russian war, they are
bestirring themselves actively with measures for
selfdefence. And they are wise in so doing.
The position of affairs in Europe is certainly
omlnous. We still see reason to hope that Great
Britain will escape being drawn into war but
it is evident that she is near the verge, and that
a step or two further may commit her inevitably
to the fatal plunge. In these circumstances the
Australian colonies think it time to be in readi-
ness, In Victoria they are especially alert. IN
fortunately. the plan recommended by Colonel
Jervols, which was agreed to by the Government
and the money appropriated by the Legislative
Assembly, became the subject of a misunderstood
ing between the two Houses. and has fallen
through in consequence. But the Government
seem determined to do the best they can. We
heard the other day that the commanders of the
land forces and of the floating battery, the Ger
berus. have attended a Cabinet meeting to advise
Ministers as to the defence of the colony and
now we learn that they are using all the gun
cotton procurable in the manufacture of torpe-
does, to be laid down in the channel for the pro-
lection of the harbOrs. 1t is evident that the
Victorian Government do not mean to be taken
by surprise. If they cannot carry out the whole
of the measures recommended. they will accom-
plish all that is practicable. Whatever happens:
Melbourne Will be we'll prepared" !