ROYAL NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 61, 13 March 1926, Page 9

ROYAL NAVY.

SAFETY IN PACIFIC.

WHEN WAR COMES HERE.

VITAL SINGAPORE BASE.

THE MENACE FROM THE EAST.

jßy Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.)

"(. j?. (Received 12 noon-} LONDON, March 12. In the House of Commons during the debate on the Navy Estimates Mr. C. G. Amnion asked for information in regard to the development of the Indian Navy and fortifications in India. Hβ declared the Government's Singapore policy was calculated to lead to war in the Par East and aroused the suspicions of Japan and China. The Navy Estimates were before the House of Commons again to-day. Mr. C. G. Ammon, who was Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in the Mac Donald administration, asked ■the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. W. C. Bridgeman, whether there was to be any alteration in the Singapore baae policy in view of the Treaty of Locarno. He said he understood the graving dock "was to he first constructed and then the floating dock. Mr. Bridgeman interjected: I always Said the floating dock would be the first *o be constructed and the graving dock pfterwards. Mr. Ammon said: The Singapore base tan only be interpreted as an unfriendly 6ct toward Japan. Ministerial cries of "No." Mr. Ammon said he had the statements tef responsible Japanese statesmen to the leffect that they regarded it in that light. This, and the fortification of mossgrown Indian ports, suggested some great activity in preparation for war in ftxosß directions.

The Army Estimates total £42,500,DOO. This Is a reduction of £2,000,000 compared with last year. The estimates provide for an establishment of 159,400, men, exclusive of India, a reduction of 920 a

Commander Carlyon Bellairs urged Hiat the question of future defence 'should be submitted to the Imperial Conference. He declared Australia and New Zealand might as well throw the money they spent on defence into the sea if they could not be assured of the support pf the great British fleet. In the event of a war with Japan their Ships would simply be a prey for the Japanese Navy without the British Tleet, and If they could not rely on the support of the British Navy their eyes •rould turn to America.— (A. and N.Z.)