ARSENALS FOR THE COLONIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5919, 14 February 1880, Page 5

ARSENALS FOR THE COLONIES.

♦ The following communication has been forwarded to the Sydney Morning Herald from Mr Edward Palliser, late captain in the 7th Hussars, dated London, Oct. 18 : —“ I beg to forward you the Standard of Oct. 13 with an important leading article on the subject of Kuasian merchant cruisers and their objects. There arc many at home who think that a war with Russia, in consequence of our forcing them to avoid Constantinople and our conquering Afghanistan, is quite possible before long, when, if the Australian and New Zealand Governments are not prepared to tit out their merchant steam marine to cope with the Russian merchant (?) steam marine cruisers, great damage will result to your shipping. Russia being essentially a warbrewing Power, and England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand being devoted to peace, place the latter Governments at a great disadvantage. As, however, my brother, Sir William Palliser had pointed out, you have the money, you have the ships, you have the men, but you have not the armaments for the ships, and your Governments are naturally slow to purchase the exceedingly expensive guns made in England, excepting a moderate number for your coast forts. Sir W. Palliser and I have taught the Canadians how to make their guns, and iu consequence of the first gun made in Canada having passed proof in that country before the officers of the Royal Artillery, 10 guns are to be placed on tho estimates, to be made in Canada by Messrs Gilbert and Sons, of Montreal, vrbo courageously came forward to join us iu the work. These guns will be just suited to a merchant cruiser, and can compete with any gun or i their calibre. They are to be 90-pounders, | with a length of bore of 25 calibres, and a :

charge of 301 bof powder. There are 1000 Palliser gur.B in our service. Australia is rather far to go and instruct your engineers, who arc quite us capable as Messrs Gilbert and Sons. Hut it may be acceptable to you to know tba- PullLer guns suitable for the armament of your sea-going steamers can bo obtained in England at a moderate rate. This is well-known to your military advisers, who, I have no doubt, wifi not forget the circumstance should it appear advisable, as we believe it to be, to store an armament at a moderate cost to bo ready in case of trouble with Russia. If all the Colonies followed the example of Canada and made preparations in time, we should hear less of the boastings of Russia as c.unmen’ed on in the leading article in the Standard.