DEFENCE IN PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 37, 12 August 1930, Page 8

DEFENCE IN PACIFIC

THE SINGAPOBE BASE

"MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER"

Tho question of defence in tho Pacific, with particular reference to tho advisability or otherwise of continuing the policy laid down in respect to the Singapore Base, was discussed by some of the speakers in tho debate on Imperial affairs in tho House of Bepresentatives yesterday. • The Prime Minister expressed the view that tho Base was more necessary than ever in view of the smaller number of warships in the Pacific under the Naval Pact. The Leader of tho Opposition (tho Bight Hon. J. G. Coates) said that Great Britain was making a gesture for world peace, and, indeed, was taking a loading part in that movement. He trusted that the Prime Minister would make himself fully acquainted with tho viewpoint of the various officers with whom ho would come in contact at the Imperial Conference. It would be dangerous for New Zealand to forget that she was an isolated country, and that it was necessary, until world peace was secured, to adopt a policy of being able to look after herself in the event of difficulties arising. "I can see no reason for a change of policy in regard to the Singapore Base," said Mr. Coates. He added that the unexpected might happen, and that the policy laid down in respect to defence in the Pacific was sound. He .felt that the people of the Dominion were of opinion that Now Zealand should be prepared to continue her contributions to the Base, and to help the Mother Country as far as was practicable in tho event of difficulty or trial. NEED FOE EECONSIDEEATION. "In my opinion tho Singapore Base is a wholly unwise scheme," said the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland). The present British Government was against the scheme, and it was supported by the British electors. A-t the present time New Zealand was the only Dominion contributing to the scheme. A few of the Crown colonies were making payments, but they had no say in the matter. Many eminent naval authorities had condemned the proposal, and ho hoped that the Prime Minister would bring the matter up ;.t the Imperial Conference He recognised that they had made a promise and could not repudiate it, but if the Prime Minister placed the views of the people of the Dominion on this "altogether futile scheme" before the British authorities, the position would no doubt be reconsidered. "NOT AGAINST THE VOTE." Mr. F. Waite (Beform, Clutha) said New Zealand was not at present carrying her fair share of the burden so far as defence was concerned. He beliftVed they should have some naval base in tho Pacific, and -to say that tho people were against continuing the vote to tho Singapore Base was to say something that was not correct. To-day the nations were grouping together, and there was little chance for the isolated State. Peace was essential to the prosperity of the British Empire, and he believed the peace of the world would be assured when the United States and Great Britain came together. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Ayon) considered that New Zealand should send to the Imperial Conference a message of support for the ideal of world peace rather than of support for expenditure on -defence. The Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that New Zealand had given a definite undertaking of financial support for the Base. While there had been some criticism and difference of opinion as to the value of the Base, we had to remember that it was more than ever necessary to have a repair base in the Pacific in view of the reduction in the 'number of war vessels in that field. The provision for defeneo in tho Pacific had been weakened. • Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central): "Don't you agree that the position in tho Pacific is safer under the London Treaty than ever before?" Mr. Forbes: "Japan has not signed yet." Mr. Fraser: "She has not rejected it. It is only a matter of time." Mr. Forbes: "With a smaller number of vessels in tho Pacific, it seems to me that they should be in a position to be repaired." As a measure of insurance he thought the Base project was wise. No other country was so much interested in the question as New Zealand, because our long sea routes depended on protection.