FAR EAST DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 48, 6 December 1940, Page 5

FAR EAST DEFENCE.

STEADY REINFORCEMENTS.

MR CHURCHILL’S PROMISE. « (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, December 5. ■ The Singapore correspondent of the “Times” states that Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brookc-Popham (Command-er-in-Chief in the ,Near East) expects to visit Australia and New Zealand. This and other interesting facts were revealed in an interview in which Sir Robert recalled his luncheon with Mr Winston Churchill at which he, General Dill and Chief Air Marshal Sir Cyril Newall were present, before his, departure from London. “Mr Churchill is extremely well-in-formed on all aspects of the situation in the Far East,” said Sir Robert, “he told me w.e must hold Singapore, no matter what happens and said I could rest .assured there would he a continuous steady flow of men and munitions to countries under my command. No effort would he spared to make Singapore, Malaya and all other.. British countries as strong and well defended as was humanly possible. I feel sure Britain will continue to grow in strength in the Far East. We may expect reinforcements of men and material—a. stronger army and a bigger air force. A lot has already been done in this direction recently and the trend will continue. It is an inspiring thought that the Homo Country can still afford to strengthen the Empire’s outlying defences at the moment when she is fighting for her very existence.”