SINGAPORE AND WORLD PEACE

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 14

SINGAPORE AND WORLD PEACE

■ (To the Editor.) Sir,—Your outspoken sub-leader "Who Wants It?" is singularly opportune and appropriate, and your statement therein, "Men who raise bogies about military bases there (North Polar Region) should not be in a position of authority," tritely just, and I think perhaps" applicable in regard to other territories. Much jingoistic nonsense is at present being' Written about the Singapore base, most of it with a total disregard of the many and varied issues at stake. Let mc say at the outset that as far as I, a mere layman, can judge, a naval base at this port is necessary, but there are many other factors in the issue which should be note,d by every intelligent voter and stressed by those who help to mould public opinion. This being so, I am moved to enter my protest against such fatuous vapourings as are now poured forth for the edification of New Zealanders. Indeed, it looks as if Mr. Massey hopes to cloud local polities by a "Singapore red herring," while your morning contemporary i s exceedingly unconvincing in its latest tilt at the British Labour party, entitled "A Blow at the Empire." It is only a few weeks ago since the "Herald," on the advent of the new Government, urged, as did Mr. Massey, that they be given fair play and a fair chance. Since when it has been the policy of both to "tilt and belittle at every opportunity." Such

"fair play" is akin to the log;c which approves the second ballot for the British elections (when the Tories fail) and disapproves of it for New Zealand (where Tories at the moment don't need it). Cheap rhetoric is unconvincing, and after a "war to end war" surely Mr. Mac Donald is but the statesmanlike thing in straining every nerve to obtain, if possible, a further reduction in armaments. Again, it is notorious in the Old Country that armament firms wield a terrible influence in regard to naval and military policy, and if the present Gove-nment can curb their power somewhat it will have done immense good. Further, is this Dominion (also Australia) bearing a fair share of the cost of the Navy? Per capita we cut a very sorry figure when compared to Mother England, yet we shriek aloud about our manly status. I don't remember Mr. Massey (or the "Herald") being equally vehement about shouldering an equal share of this burden, but perhaps Mr. Massey Las more difficulty in balancing his Budget than Mr. Snowden! Flag ■waving does not constitute . patriotism, as many a poor "Digger" has learnt by bitter experience, and it is well to beware that real issues are not clouded, as they have been in the recent past. Methinks a policy,of good-will first, and

legitimate defence second, is a surer foundation for the Empire than the flinging away of millions of pounds needed for social reform, both here anJ at Home, before the urgent necessity of its expenditure for defence purposes is proven. One can surely hold such views without being classed with Bolshevists. It is well to remember that CampbellBannerman turned an enemy into a friend lin South Africa, though bitterly denounced at the time by the Tory party, land there is nothing "the Empire needs I more at the moment, torn as it is in 1 almost every corner by the two extremes, l«L BUCh Liberal statesmanship.—l am i tc, .-_ COSMOPOLITAN.