COLONIAL DEFENCES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 25

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

By Rleotuic Telegraph. — Copyright.

(heuter’s telegrams.)

Melbourne, October 15

Papers in reference to the question of colonial naval defences, including Admiral Tryon’s scheme, have been presented to Parliament. They show that the Admiral proposed that war vessels should be manned by the Admiralty, and the colonies should bear the cost of maintenance, estimated at £152,000 yearly. Mr Gillies proposed a scheme involving an expenditure of £9O 000. The New Zealand Government considered their position an exceptional one, and proposed to make an annual payment of £20,000 direct to the Imperial Government. The Argus to-day, in an article on the defence question, expresses a belief that a binding arrangement between the colonies, and one of great advantage to them, will shortly be concluded.

Melbourne, October 15.

The papers in reference to the question of colonial defences, which have been presented to Pari iament, show that all th© colonies have objected to bear the cost of providing and equipping a colonial navy, but that the Govern-' ments of New South Wales and Queensland have agreed to pay the interest on the capital cost of the fleet, and for depreciation. The Victorian Government, however, have objected to this.