OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3958, 25 January 1900, Page 4

OUR DEFENCE FORCES.

For some two weeks past, Cliambeis of Commerce, and newspaper writers throughout the country have been urging upon the Government the desirableness of increasing the defence force and obtaining large supplies of arms and ammunition, including the most-improved rifles and tire latest designs of longrange field guns and quick-firing, artillery. The anxiety that prompts this agitation has its root in the war now raging in South Africa, and to some extent in the fact that tho sending of two New Zealand contingents'has weakened this country’s defence force. There seems at first sight to bo some ground for the feeling that finds expression in demands for a' vigorous defence policy.

It is” unwise to encourage any “scare,” but on Uio oilier baud Now Zealand must not I'all into tho characteristic British mistake of over-confidence. Tlio loss of seven hundred men —say 10 per cent, of the defence force cf the colony—is not iii itself calculated to cause alarm; but the fact of this country making common cause with England in a foreign quarrel might cause warlike attention to be centred upon us in the event of any European Power espousing the cause of the Boers. It is the possibility of a raid by a flying squadron, with a thousand or so of wen-trained troops and weapons of heavy calibre and deadly precision, that tm-es force to such, representations as those of the recent public meeting at Auckland that “the armaments in the colony are inadequate for its defence, and that it is the duty of the Government to provide a full supply of modern rifles with quick-firing artillery and ammunition as quickly as possible.

The efforts of some newspapers to create a war panic arc, however, to be deprecated. One. moved by political animosity, keens asserting that the Government has neglected to make provision for keeping the colony in a state of effective defence; and another, with the very friendliest feeling to Ministers, but apparently overcome by apprehension, has suggested the calling out of the first line of militia in this country. There, is not tho slightest reason fob- alarui. Defence measures undertaken under the influence of panic are not likely to he well-considered or effective, and the calling out of the militia is quite unnecessary. There is every ground for calmness and confidence, for in addition to the seven thousand trained volunteers

ready to spring to arms at a moments notice, there arc thousands more who luive had a military training, and who would be at once available in the event ol their services being required. These facts, with the added knowlcdiii- that from our population we could draw tens oi thousands more lit to hear aw; . will tend to keep enemies of the Empire at a respectful dhtanca Irom our ••■lair, v.

Tiie.ro is only one thing ncccs-ary lo complete our confidence in the anility of Now Zealanders to repel any possible invasion, and that is an adc'-iuaic supply of anus and amnumitiun. Our harbour forts, our torpedo corps, and our submarine mines arc all in good order and fully equipped : but some Uoulu is rn'tortaiuea as to whether, in the event of an enemy effecting ft- lauding at same undefended port, our land forces would have sufficient rides and field gums ami ammunition to contest the advance of a small army possessing these advantages. It is comforting to have the Premier’s assurance,' as conveyed to the cones* poudent of the Dunedin "Star," that large guns arc on order from England, and that steps are - being irhcn to increase the supply of rifles ;.,d ammunition. Magazine rifles are being purchased, and it might be .suggested that it would bo weii to have a further supply of Maxim or oilier machine gnus. Volunteering is also to bo encouraged, so that tlie number of trained soldiers shall be at lease equal to the lull strength of eight thousand men provided for by Parliament.

Acting upon Ike. lesson taught by l’m present war as to -the value -of mounted ■infantry, tho Government has a'.-,o re--solved to encourage the formal ion of u number of mounted corps in the country districts.' Tliis is an excellent idea, and one that will prove very popular: but probably the Legislature will hnvo 'to prepare itself for an increase of tho defence- vote, and' especially for a more liberal expenditure on training camps and Title meetings. While all this is satisfactory as iar as it goes, it is to bo feared that the strengthening of our defence forces and their better equipment cannot be fully -accomplished in time to anticipate European intervention in the Transvaal struggle. Tho Brit ish arms and ammunition factories, are all too busy at present to pay immediate heed to colonial orders, so that for uioscnt purposes wo shall have to rely upon tho armaments and ammunition in the colony. Even so, there is no occasion, to doubt tho ability of this country io repel any Invasion that may bo directed against it. Tho Transvaal campaign has demonstrated the enormous advantage enjoyed by an armed force that knows thoroughly the arena of operations, and acts on the defensive., Tho men of New Zealand, even with the obsolete weapons with which many would be armed In tlic event of a sudden emergency, would bo found ready in resource, unflinching in courage and determination, and able to render a good account of the enemy. The achievements of “our boys" in South Africa arc an earnest of this, and wo feel assured that, when it comes to defending their hearths and homes, tho thousands in this country would acquit themselves in a. way worthy of their race and its traditions. Stripped of the elements of party animosity and incipient panic, the present demand for an immediate increase of the defence forces is proved to have very little, if any. solid reason bchinu it. Mr Suddon has shown soi much energy, resource and initiative in connection with the raising ami equipment of tho two contingents for South Africa, that the people of Now Zealand may with perfect confidence leave tho question of defence-in his bauds.