COLONIAL DEFENCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 159, 20 May 1862, Page 5

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

The recent debato on the question of colonial fortifications will be read with curiosity, and not without profit, by all classes of colonisls. It led to nothing, but it had the effect of eliciting from Sir George Corncwall Lewis n declaration which may be considered as tbo expression of the policy of the Government on that particular point. It is not tlic intention of Government to nrcct new fortifications in the colonies, or to enlarge those that now exist, or to incur any great charges in the maintenance of them ay thuy ore. JJut, ns it would be inexpedient, if not actually hazardous, to lay down any inflexible rule regarding thu defence of the colonies, the Government, in general terms, reserves to itself the .discretionary power of incurring at any time any costs that may appear necessary for the protection of the colonies—it being always competent to the House of Commons to control the votes on the estimates. The sum and issue of the discussion is that land fortifications arc not considered the most available for our colonial possessions, that our chief reliance must be placed upon naval resources, and that the general question of colonial defences remains exactly as it was between the colonies and the mother country.