THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 24

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1864.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

Besides the other important subjects on which the General Assembly will have to decide, that of the defence of the Colonv will demand very serious consideration. The time has arrived when the Colonists must make up their minds no longer to depend on the Imperial Government for protection against their internal and external enemies. The decision has gone forth that_ henceforth the Colony must undertake its defence, either directly by means of a local force, or indirectly by paying for the services of Imperial troops. There is nothing in these alternatives to which just objection can be made. Practically, England has nothing whatever to do with the quarrels with their .Native neighbors into which the colonists are constantly plunging. As a matter of sentiment, and in support of the idea that every insignificant colony of Great Britain is an integral part of the Empire, it is quite natural that-the colonists should look for, and the Mother Country should supply, assistance in the time of need.. But it does not follow that because Englishmen choose to locate themselves in the midst of • a numerous and powerful race of savages, with whom, sooner or later, they are bound to come into contact, the people of England are called upon to undertake their protection. Until recently, however, this idea pra vailed, both in the Colonies and also at Home, that under all circumstances England was bound to defend her colonies. We cannot see any insuperable difficulties in the way of organising within the Colony a force amply sufficient for its internal defence. Whether that force be a Militia drawn from the general population or Volunteers under certain specific conditions, it should not, surely, be an impossible thing for the colonists to at least protect themselves, if not to carry on an aggressive war. One thing is certain, that if the troops go, some such force must be established. Is the Assembly prepared to retain the troops under the proposed conditions? —we think not.

We carefully endorse the complaint of the condition of Albany street contained in a letter which appears in another column. As the writer says, the road is positively dangerous at night, particularly for persons driving or riding. The efforts made recently to augment the funds of the Benevolent Institution were crowned with signal success. In our advertising columns we publish a detailed statement of the various sums realised by the Bazaar, Concert, and Ball, given in aid of this deserving Charity, from which it will be seen that a total amount of £1717 9s. lid. had by these means been added to the funds. The amount collected by the ladies who undertook the task of canvassing was £456 165., which, with the donation of Mr B. L. Fargeon of £SO, made a total of £506 16s. The Bazaar realised £1054 6s. lid.:, the Concert, £74 95., and the Ball £Bl 18s. With this liberal addition to its funds the Benevolent Institution will be able to extend its sphere of usefulness. will be received till Noon on Saturday, sth November, for the erection of the Bank of New Zealand, at Oamaru. . . . MASON and CLAYTON, Architects, Dunedin.