SINGAPORE BASE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 9

SINGAPORE BASE

NEW ZEALAND'S £1,000,000

A GOOD LEAD '

COMMENTS FROM HOME

PAPERS

JFrom "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, '4th May.

Until Parliament has ratified the New Zealand Cabinet 's .. offer of £1,000,000 towards the Singapore Base, it is perhaps too early to expect much comment on the suggestion. Nevertheless a great many newspapers throughout this country have approved New Zealand's generous lead. "The contribution of the New Zealand Government to the Singapore scheme is very welcome,'' says '' The Outlook." "It is a practical indication of interest and approval that will not. be lost on public opinion either here or elsewhere in the Empire; it is in tune with the traditional policy of that Dominion; and it is the more generous in that New Zealand is not at the moment entirely immune from domestic economic problems." IMPERIAI, SOLIDARITY. The "Derby Daily Express": "The British taxpayer will experience a feeling of gratitude in that the New Zealand Government has decided to should.er a million of the expense to which the Mother Country will be put in establishing the Singapore base. She has already proved her sincerity by maintaining two cruisers as her contribution to the Navy; and now her Government proposes to ask the New Zealand Parliament' to contribute a million to the cost of the Singapore base, believing, says Mr. C'oates, that her people will be proud to bear a burden, 'approximating a little more closely to that already carried mainly by the United Kingdom.' That is not all—when tho million ig paid in seven or eight instalments, her Government proposesto continue raising the money in the hopo of providing a New Zealand division of ships. It is a practical indication of sympathy and support which is as valuable as an example as it is an indication of Imperial solidarity.". ADEQUATE PROTECTION. .The "North-western Daily Mail": V Additional evidence is forthcoming that New Zealand realises her responsibilities in aFsisting in the maintenance of en Empire Navy. Thus we see I that the discussions at t!le' Imperial Conference are; bearing good fruit in at ■ least one important particular. New Zealand's latest gesture is a recognition of the vital necessity for the maintenance of the freedom of the seas and the adequate protection of the trade routes by the British Empire." ;, The "Church of , England Newspaper': "New Zealand gives a good lead to neighbours and other daughter States. Safety for the! white man in the whole of Australia and New Zealand, and the preservation of his system of ethics and morality, no less than his standard, of living, is what touches the New Zealander and the more far-seeing of his brethren in Australia. This example we may hope will be followed." . . • " A SHAKE IN THE BURDEN AND RISKS. The "Scotsman": "The Anzac Vibrations fall in perfect harmony with the scenes and sentiments evoked by the Royal .visit. New Zealand, to ..which His,Majesty,has- sent a special message of; remembrance, does not intend to let the anniversary pass without offering tokens of her feeling and intentions still more impressive, as well as more permanent, than wreaths or processions. Tho Dardanelles was a naval as well as a military enterprise; and it is in connection with the Navy . that these outer Dominions can best show, in practical form, their purpose of rendering due aid in meeting the cost and assuring the strength and I adequacy of Imperial defence. Among i the Arizac memorials is the navnl programme made public by. tho New Zealand Premier, and framed in consultation with the British Government 'and Admiralty, by which a sum of a million sterling will be offered towards meeting the cost of the Singapore basci There are other proposals that need not be recounted. But all of them go to show the recognition of the New Zealand Government and people that they have their own stake in the fortunes and in the poliuy of tho Empire —more particularly in that part of our interests and policy which touches Asia and the seas and islands thereto adjacent—and that they arc ready and willing, as in 1915, to take their share of-tho burden and of the risks." PEACE IN THE PACIFIC. In commending New Zealand's proposed fiction, the "London "Weekly" says: "It may be asked against whom are these preparations being made, and the answer cwould probably bo that they are preparations of general precaution only in an uncertain world. And with the present turmoil; in China the position is one that cannot be accurately foretold for the next decade. But tha"t there is no immediate danger is generally agreed. We therefor* hope that some other statesmen and spokesmen of Empire will soon tell us what diplomacy is doing to keep tho peace in the Pacific and to prevent the coming of war in the future. We do not need to be assured of tho loyalty, devotion, and self-3acrifice of New Zealand if heed be. What we do want to be. sure of is that.we, in this country, are doing all we can to smooth the path of tho future for New Zealand." PROGRESS OF THE WORK. It appears that there have been various delays in the wtfrk connected with the Singapore dock, and although the scheme has been in progress for two years, only the barest preliminary work has been carried out. Simultaneously with the laying down of the huge floating docks, which will be an important feature of the base, preparations were started for moorings for it. This has beon, in the main, tho only work of j importance which has been going on for some time. The dock is being built at Neweastleron-Tyno, and involves an expenditure of £1,000,000. It will be capable of lifting ships of 00,000 tons, , and has 30ft draft. Some idea .may thus bo gained of tho huge "pit" in tho sea which has to be dredged in consequence. The minimum depth will be 70 feet, and the berth will be 320 yards long and 420 wide. Some 20,000 tons of steel will be used, and over 4,000,----000 rivets forged to secure the plates. In order to take the dock from the Tyno to Singapore it is being built in seven sections, the first of which will, it is stated, be launched in about three months. ■ 85, Fleet street.