A COLONIAL NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7319, 4 May 1885, Page 5

A COLONIAL NAVY.

We learn on good authority that an interchange of views has recently taken place between the Premier of Hew South Wales j and the Premier of this colony upon, the question of the naval defenoe of all the colonies in this portion of the Empire. Of course, the exact nature of the communications that have passed between Mr. Sliuart and Mr. Stout is for obvious reasons kept secret, but we believe that Mr. Stuart was requested by the Ministry to place his views in writing, and that they have recently been considered at a Cabinet meeting in Wellington. The Government of New Zealand have expressed themselves, in a qualified manner, in favour of Mr. Stuart's suggestions, but they complain that in the past British men-of-war have rarely visited this colony, and further' state that in any joint scheme for setting up a. federated colonial navy, or for an Imperial naval federation, this colony would insist upon one or more of the ironclade being constantly present in New Zealand waters. We believe that some such scheme as that sketched out by us on Saturday is likely to take shape and form, especially as it was one which has long been favoured by Sir George Grey, and upon which he will probably have something to say at an early date to the people of Auckland. We are glad to find, however, that the question is already receiving serious consideration, and hope that the Government of which Mr. Stuart is the head, will undertake to give it form and substance.