SINGAPORE BASE

Evening Star, Issue 19409, 18 November 1926, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

THE FLOATING DOCK. CONTRACT PLACED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 16. The Admiralty has placed a contract with Messrs Swan and Hunter, of Wallsend, fop the construction of a floating dock for Singapore. The price is £1,200,000, and the work of construction will occupy two years. PROBABLE DIMENSIONS. NEWSPAPER CRITICISM. LONDON, November 17. (Received November 18, at 9.45 a.m.) The ‘Daily News' says that the Singapore dock- will be designed to lift the largest warship afloat, or likely to be built in the near future. It will probably approach in size the huge dock at Southampton, which is 960 ft long, 170 ft wire, 70ft high, and lifts vessels of 60,000 tons displacement. Opposition newspapers criticise the Singapore scheme. The ‘ Westminster Gazette ’ says that the British taxpayers are entitled to know what part of tho bill Australia and New Zealand are footing for this costly, insurance which Australia could better secure with a base at Sydney. The ‘ Star ’ calls the base a jingo monstrosity, and adds that if White Australia needs such a base she should build it on Australian soil and should pay the cost.—Sydney 1 Sun ’ Cable.