SINGAPORE BASE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 87, 10 October 1927, Page 8

SINGAPORE BASE

MR. NASH'S OPINION

CLEARING UP A POINT

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

DTJNEDIN, This Day. Mr. W. Nash, secretary of the Labour Party, Bpeaking! at .the University; Club, stated that apparently a difference of opinion had arisen in connection with his speech at the conference of the Institute of Pacific Eelations at Honolulu in July last. '.'Speaking at the conference," said Mr. Nash, "I set forth all the arguments used by the supporters of the Singapore Base to justify its development. I then stated the case for the opponents. I said that the motive of the support for the Base in New Zealand was purely one of defence, and that this being admitted, I was of the opinion that the majority of. New Zalanders would support the New Zealand Government in its decision .to make to contribution towards its cost. "During a debate in the House, the Hon I\ J. Eolleston inferred that I was a supporter of the policy for the developing of the Base, which is incorrect. At the conference yI gave the cape for New Zealand, particularly emphasising the arguments in support of the Base. Personal opinion, which is well known to all those.with whom I come into contact, is for specific reasons entirely opposed to the development of the Base.

"The Base," continued Mr. Naslu "is worthless unless it is made effective. An effective base means an instrument that will dominate the Pacific area. Dominion breeds conflict, conflict means war. -Instead-of the Base being a security for peace it will m reality be the greatest menace to peace. Its supporters relied on the old policy "to ensure peace prepare for war.' The disastrous result of this policy was exemplified in 1914. "It was also stated in the House that the opinion of New Zealand dia not support the Base, and that the policy of the Government was not one of defence. I do not think so. I am of the opinion, as I stated at Honolulu, that the Government would be support.cd by the majority of the citizens because they believe that the Government's policy is one of defence. When the fallacy of the waste and ineffectiveness of the Base as an instrument! of peace ir shown, then I believe tha people of the Dominion will oppose making any contribution towards a scheme that is fraught with such disastrous possibilities to all peoples of; the Pacific area." .