Admiral Tryon on the Defence of the Colony.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1790, 3 February 1886, Page 2

Admiral Tryon on the Defence of the Colony.

A, i 1 i. spending an enormous buiii of money in erecting defensive worka and placing big guria in position t.i protect tire chief ports of tbo colony, it is very satisfactory to learn from Admiral Tryon that the plan which Ims iieon adopted is a good one. At the Christchuicii banquet the other day the gallant Admiral made a capital speech in the ooursu of which’ he remarked Aa an attack on this .'.Pony must come from over the sun, and be directed by a sailor, it might he of interest to hen floor a sailor what boat protected a port. He had gone around the principal ports, and must say he thought that the principles adopted iu their defence had lieci* very wise. Huns had been placed no as to afford a minimum target with a maximum of destructive power. Mine fields had ala provided at the enhance ..I the ports, ioil son;, tiling more v> hj needed to keep ei.eigfctic sailer .a, l . Cruisers now a ilaya bad on board sumiuV c.i . which. ||i»h i i| i small, were most loumdahly annml with torpedoes and with gunu. They sun moot dangerous to these ports, hot. the e.,i.„.i=ia were equal to those, and with riJUf’J 11 Ilf I (/linn pa board their lopal eteam newel* they would

be prepaied to meet the boats of any ship that ever floated.” But Admiral Tryon also points out that we must not merely defend our ports, but also take such measures as would render it almost impossible for a foe to come to our coasts aud capture our shipping. It their shipping were captured, the colonists, as the Admiral puts it, ” would be left to stew in their own gravy.” To prevent such a thing happening, Admiral Tryon supports the suggestion lately made by his Excellency the Governor, that the colonists should have what might be called a National Fleet, so that if an enemy appeared off the coast he might be attacked and either driven off or captured. The adoption of this suggestion would mean a large money contribution on the part of the colony, so as to secure the services of special cruisers for the protection of our shipping. The proposal is one requiring careful consideration. We are, however, inclined to think that the colonists, having provided lor the defence of their chief porta, the Imperial Government should take all the necessary measures for the adequate protection of the shipping of the colouy.