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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4827, 7 May 1877, Page 2

Colonial coast defence is a, subject which is beginning to assume large proportions in the minds of thinking men both in this Colony and in the colonies of Australia. The nspect of European affairs is at present so "rave, and the preparations for war in England are so marked and significant, considering the interests both, at home and in the East, and in her wide-spread colonial empire, that recent and latest events ail seem to portend a not distant entrance of Great Britain into the arena of active war. Ever3 - one knows that the colonics in these seas have advanced in vreath and commerce, and population within the last ftve-and-twenty years, to n degree' which transforms them from comparatively insignificant towns to cities of importance, well worth the consideration of an enemy's cruisers intent on levying contributions in gold, jewels, and other compact moveable property. The necessity of looking at England's Colonial Empire as being' liable to possible, or indeed probable raids of this kind, has not been forgotten by Eovd Beaconstield's Government. Two of the ablest men in the British army connected with engineering and defence operations have been sent o\it from England, and arc now in Sydney to commence the work of placing the chief towns in the colonics in a position to defy any chance cruiser or privateer which, in the event of England being obliged to take part in the war, may visit our ports with hostile intent.

Russia has intimated her intention to disregard tho declaration of the Powers at Paris°in ISSG, which abolished privateering ; and if this intention were carried out, what would prevent Russia were she !>z war with England from not only issuing letters of marque, but of sending a few swift steamers of her own navy to harass and levy contributions on the towns of British colonies which are unprotected by fortifications or by tho presence of powerful and speedy war ships 1 What protection, for example, has Auckland at the present moment from the visit of any hostile cruiser? Practically none. A warship with heavy guns could lie in Rangitoto Channel and send a requisition ashore demanding a largo ransom in gold and other valuables, with tho alternative of bombarding tho town. Happily, tho British Government feel that, in the event of war with a maritime power (and who knows where either France or Germany may be in tho coining struggle ?) her weak point is her colonies. Numerous as these are, and far distant from the centre of her power, they are open to attack if no provision is made to prevent or meet the assailant. Lord Granville, when the Whig Government was insanely being pressed by the Bright school to let the colonies go, was compelled by reason of the patriotic feeling of tho country at large, to declare that England would defend her colonies with " her last ship and her last shilling." The Tory Government adopts this doctrine without hesitation or nmera pensce, and with tho tradition of preserving the Empire intact. Acting on this principle, the Government have sent to these colonies two accomplished ollicers, Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchloy, who are empowered to examine the condition and capabilities for defence- against attack of the principal towns in the Australasian colonics. These gentlemen have just arrived in Sydney, and will advise an to the proper steps to bo taken to provide the means for giving a good account of any marauding enemy's ship which might threaten the town, and in case of defoncelossness, demand and exact a heavy ransom. They proceed to Melbourne next month, and will probabl}' then visit this Colony. Auckland wants a torpedo service, and tho creation of a really serviceable artillery and engineer corps, commanded by some able oflieer who has soon service and who'possesses skill ami experience fitting him to act with vigour on an emergency.

But more than this is required. The best defence the colonial towns could have is a strong nqii;i.'lron of the British licet. Amtnilriifia li.-m now become of such importance ait llial. if. Hlionld be inado an adiniral'B nf.al.ion with a squadron of modern wfic'diijiM, ironclad and speedy in motion, >in n'\ to bo üblo, with the assistance niir telegraphic communication can render, to give good account of any hostile .ilii]is that, may have the daring to assail our shipping or our towns. The subject is one of growing importance ; and the situation appcarH to require careful consideration. The very fact that theso gentlemen are sent out on a mission of the kind with which they are charged, shows, firstly, that a war in which England •will be engaged ia more imminent than it has been since the revival of the Eastern difficulty ; and, secondly, that the Homo Government are alive to the importance of protecting her dependencies. The respective Colonies must not fail to perform their part in, the work which seems to lie before them.

Latest news is all tinged with the dark cast of war. Five new ironclad vessels are to be added to the British fleet, and as these will be of the first-class, they will propably cost in toto about two millions or two millions and a half, before they are completely equipped and readyfor service, which they are intended to be, during the current year. The table which we subjoin, and which is compiled from the latest authority, respecting vessels which, from their enormous thickness of iron-plating, or clothing of the rederwills, belong to the first class of warships afloat, and form parts of the fleets of the various European Powers, will be of interest to our readers at the present time. It is a very significant fact_ that the Government of Great Britain should be adding to the amount of its Navy Estimates by deciding to build live new vessels, and also increase the strength of the torpedo vessels by additions of the most scientific nature. Of itself, this fact speaks strongly of the imminence of Britain being engaged in active war. However desirable it may be to avoid such a result, everything seems to tend in that direction. Viewing this aspect of affairs, the fact that Britain's flag floats by far the most powerful on the seas will not fail to be gratifying to those who, though dwelling under strange stars, and at this side of tho world, are still proud to own themselves citizens of the Old Country. The strength of the various countries of Europe in the great armour plated warships, including England's additional five now begun, is as follows : — ."eagoing Coast Countries. 1'" masted Defence IroncladH. ] rom: lad3. Vessels. Built, B'dng. Built. B'clDg. Built. B dug. Enclind .. 10 3 4 8 0 — Franc: ..8 4 — — 6 0 GermaDy.. 5 1 -— — — — Turkey ..6 1 — — — — Italy .. — — — i — — Austria ..4 1 — — — — Kuisia .. — — 1 — — — The comparison here really shows the contrast as respects the position of England when her naval power of the first-class, to say nothing of what she has in less effective vessels, is looked at side by side with those of other nations. These figures show that England provides for thirty-one vessels of tho first-class armour-clad character, of which twenty are built and eleven are in process of building. All the other Powers of Europe combined present about forty-three, of which Turkey possesses six built and one building. Comparing tho actual strength of the ships, estimated by the Inflexible taken as showing mathematically a power of 100, the highest of all, this is how the naval force of the European nations stand, as calculated by a French author : — England ... 1,112 Turkey ... 215 France ... 853 Russia ... 153 Germany ... 372 Austria ... 131 Italy ... 254 If Germany and Russia are essentially military powers, Britannia, as of old, is the Power that rules the sea ; and as the sea is the highway of nations, her force can be felt on every coast that the salt water laves.