MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1905. NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8130, 31 October 1905, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. Circulation, 3,200 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1905. NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE.

A discussion has been going on in the columns of the London Times for some time past on the state of the defences of New Zealand. Particular attention has been paid by several correspondents to the condition of the harbours at the principal ports. A'letter written by a colonist, Mr Alexander Joyce, first appeared, and it raised grave doubts as to the efficiency and adequacy of the defences mentioned. The accuracy of his statements has not been challenged either by the High Commissioner or the War Office, and a Home correspondent asserts that the belief is growing that the allegations are wellfounded and that the colony is virtually defenceless. The correspondence was continued by "A Royal Engineer," who said that in some respects he would even go further than Mr.Joyce. He had been reporting on the defences and arriied forces of ]N Te\v Zealand in 189;) for the Intelligence Department, and with reference to one fort — Fort Jervois—he had said it was a deathtrap which ought to be entirely reconstructed. He further says that though with the addition of submarine mines and. trained corps of

miners, the four principal harbours are not defenceless, "the defences are far from being either adequate or economical." This last phrase exactly fits the position of all New" Zealand's defences. They are neither adequate nor economical. Large sums are wasted on useless services, such as minelaying boats, out-of-date forts, gorgeous ceremonial uniforms, large ornamental staffs, obsolete guns that have been discarded by the British Army, and departmental red-tape. And this money might easily be spent to advantage in the equipment of a citizen army, or au extension of rifle club system on the lines set out by Lord Roberts. Unfortunately this country is ruled by a Government which has more regard for its own continuance in office than, for the vital interests of New Zealand, and it makes the defence system assist it to retain its hold of the portfolios..