NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9330, 3 February 1896, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCES.

In view of the diplomatic complications in Europe, the public in New Zealand would naturally like to know whether our own Government are taking the steps which a prudent Administration ought to take in the matter of defence. A semi-official statement circulated the other day assured us that everything was in a satisfactory condition. " All the " rifles which were " ordered some time ago," it was stated, " have arrived, and have been " distributed throughout the colony, " and at present there is on hand at " the various centres a larger " amount of ammunition than ever " before. The submarine mines "at the various ports are laid, " and but await the appearance of " an enemy's ship to be fired. Though " the possibility of an invasion is "extremely remote, it is satisfactory " to know that the colony is prepared " for such a contingency." This sounds reassuring enough, and we hope that the facts are such as to justify this optimistic view. We should feel more satisfied, however, did we know that the defects in organisation referred to in Colonel Fox's last report have been removed. We should also be glad to know whether there are a sufficient number of trained men competent to work the expensive guns mounted at our different ports. Colonel Fox, it will be remembered, said that as regards drill and theoretical knowledge the non - commissioned officers and trained gunners were excellent, but as regards practical work they were ignorant. Most of them, h_ stated, had hardly, if ever, fired at a moving target. The public, we feel sure, would like to know from Mr. Seddon whether this disquieting state of affairs still exists. Manifestly it is no use our having costly forts and expensive guns unless we have men able to use them with effect. In regard to small arms, we believe it is quite true that the stock of MartiniHenry ball ammunition is satisfactory, and that the small-arms ammunition works at Auckland are capable of meeting any emergency as regards the supply of cartridges. It has been stated to us, however, ■• as an absolute fact, that the total number of Martini-Henry rifles and"MartiniHenry carbines .in the possession of the Government at the present time is 4000 only. The old Snider' rifles, of which the Government haye a large number, cannot be reckoned on as a means of defence,, for, even" .if th.y were serviceable, there ... is no ammunition in the colony for these rifles, the stook being practically exhausted. Admiral Bridge, it will be remembered, gives it as his opinion that each centre in the colony should have an armed force, ready at a moment's notice to repel an attack from raiders—the chief danger we should have to fear in the event of an outbreak of war. It Cannot be pretended that with a total stock of 4000 rifles—and these, be it remembered, by no means the most up-to-date weapon—-we should be in an effective condition to defend ourselves on land. Competent authorities assure us that 25,000 rifles would not be too many for the Government to hold in stock. It is to be hoped Mr. Seddon will give the matter his careful attention. We do not wish to act the part of alarmists, but the wise man is always prepared for the worst that can happen. The question of putting existing defences into an effective condition ought certainly, we think, to be taken into consideration before that of building a new fort at Wellington, as is proposed to be done.