SINGAPORE BASE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 152, 21 March 1924, Page 7

SINGAPORE BASE

EXPENDITURE TO DATE COST OF CLOSING DOWN SCHEME NAVAL EXPERTS’ REPORTS NOT TO BE CIRCULATED The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty says the expenditure in connection with the Singapore base has been £70,000, and further expenditure will be incurred in connection with tho closing down of the scheme. He added that the reports of the naval experts who advised in regard to the matter would not be circulated. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. (Rec. March 20, 9.30 p.m.) London, March 19. In reply to a question in the House of Commons, Mr. C. G. Amnion (Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty) said the expenditure in connection with the Singapore base so far was £<o.ooo. A further sum would be incurred in connection with the closing down of the scheme. The Government whips would be put an when the Government’s decision was discussed on Tuesday. The reports of the naval experts who adivised in regard to the matter would not be- circulated. As regards the question whether such steps would be taken as would necessitate the starting of work afresh if the Government's successors reversed the decision, Nir. Ammon said that details in regard to the closing down of the work were now being considered. —Reuter. WORK DONE AT SINGAPORE COLONY TO BE REIMBURSED FOR LOSS OF REVENUE Singapore, March 19. The Governor officially announced that the Imperial Government had abandoned the Singapore scheme in accordance with the reiterated foreign policy of the present Government aiming at' disarmament, the Government "retaining power to resume the work should circumstances require it. The Imperial Government would reimburse the colony for tho loss of reV *The’present position is that 32 fuel tanks have been completed and filled. Two others at the boosting station have been completed, and the. foundations of 20 others in the vicinity of the proposed base have been laid. Material is ready for the erection of other largo works which had been undertaken. Though the colony voted a large sum of money recently for road construction at the base site, local opinion is not greatly concerned, as the local expenditure has been small. Reuter.

MR. BRUCE ON AUSTRALIA’S ATTITUDE SYMPATHY WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S IDEALS FEARS METHOD' WILL NOT ACHIEVE AIM • Melbourne, March 20. The reply of Mr. Bruce, the Federal Prime Minister, to the British Government emphasises the point that Australia wrdially endorses the sentiments underlying tho declaration or the British Government that they stood for a policy of international cooperation through a strengthened and enlarged league of Nations and the creation of conditions which make an agreement in regard to the limitation of armaments possible. Australia was in perfect. sympathy with the great ideals enunciated by Mr. MacDonald, but was of opinion that the method suggested by the British Government would have precisely the opposite effect and actually jeopardise the prospects of achieving 'the desired aim. The existence and piestige of the British Empire were the greatest factors in maintaining the peace of the world. In tho councils of nations the Empire had wielded a definite influence for peace, and that influence was due primarily to its strength, and it was undeniable that the Empire’s strength depended mainly on the Naw and its power and its mobility. To ensure that mobility a base in the Pacific was imperative, and without it the existence and prestige of the Empire were endangered. Phis would increase the ambitions of the lesser Powers and give rise to a deep distrust throughout every portion of the Empire, and also stri’ke a fatal blow at the League of Nations. The Australian Government, therefore, urged that tho construction of the Singapore naval base be immediately proceeded with, and that its abandonment should at a later opportunity be used as a means of arriving at further reductions in armaments. Finally, they urged that the British Government should reconsider a' decision which was apparently arrived at on the basis of principle rather than expenditure. Mr. Bruce, therefore, had not dealt, with the question of cost. He wished to make it clear, however, that Australia was not unmindful. of its obligations, and, when Parliame.nt met, the Government would submit to it proposals for a substantial contribution towards the Singapore base.. While Ministers are keenlv disappointed at the abandonment of the base, which thev state is vitally necessary to Australia, the opinion is expressed in other quarters that it will tend to stimulate the defence policy of the Commonwealth. —Press Assn.

FRENCH PAPER’S COMMENTS

MOST VENTURESOME MEASURE Paris, March 19. The “Echo de Paris” expresses the opinion that the abandonment of tho Singapore base is the most venturesome measure yet taken bv the MacDonald Cabinet. Referring to a recent statement bv Mr. Bruce that Australia, in case of need, “would seek in the conclusion of an alliance tho safeguards which the Motherland cannot grant”—alluding to an alliance with the United States —the “Echo de Paris” says that tho United States would not regard unfavourably the construction of n naval base which would

help it to retain tho Philippines. The paper adds: “The lesson is that if the Labour Cabinet shows itself incapable of providing for the. defence or the Dominions, it will, with all the more reason, refuse to participate m the Continental system of defence. Reuter. DOMINIONS’ OPINIONS TO BE PUBLISHED London, March 19. Mr. MacDonald announced that the opinions of the Dominions on. Singapore would bo published.—Aus.-n.Z. Cable Assn. PUBLICATION OF THE CORRESPONDENCE MR. MASSEY’S DOUBTS “I’M NOT DONE WITH SINGAPORE YET” “I am not done with Singapore yet,” said Mr. Massey yesterday, when asked if he had yet authorised rhe British Prime Minister to publish the cablegrams that passed between them last week in regard to Singapore. “I have cabled to Mr. MacDonald, giving him full permission to publish the correspondence. “I have reason to believe, howeter, that the full text of the correspondence will not be published.”

MR. HOLLAND APPROVES DECISION MR. MASSEY’S STATEMENT CRITICISED By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, March 20. Referring to the cabled announcement that the British Government had definitely decided to abandon the Singapore naval baso project, and also to Mr. Massev’s comments thereon, Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, said that tho Imperial Government’s action was a statesmanlike one, making for world peace and therefore strengthening Britain in the movement towards international relationships. The decision would be welcomed, he was sure, bv the vast majority of the people of New Zealand, and Australia. Mr. Massey’s statement that the decision would l>e a disappointment to all British citizens in the Pacific was as ill-advised as it was reckless and misleading, and it was almost as much to be regretted as that Mt. Massey should have allowed his antagonism to the. British Labour Government to lead him into the indiscretion of making what was virtually a plea for their defeat by the Conservatives. Mr. Holland insisted that it was no part of the duty of tho New Zealand Prime Minister . to use Ills official position to meddle in political conflicts within Britain.