A SURE SHIELD.

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 134, 25 March 1924, Page 5

A SURE SHIELD.

THE BRITISH NAVY. AND OVERSEAS DEFENCE. (By Electric Cable—Copyright.) (Aust. ami N.Z. Cable Aasoclation). (Received March 25, 11 a.m.) London, March 24. In a letter to the Times, Lord Sydenham, a naval authority, after emphasising limv strategically important Singapore is, declares that the Government, by its decision not to proceed with the work, has deprived the British navy of the means of acting effectively in the Pacific for the protection of Australia, New Zealand, the Malay State#, and even India. In addition to protecting tho vast volume of food supplies and other trade, they have thus determined to paralyse the right arm of Imperial defence in waters which mar become vital in regard to our territorial integrity and commerce and hare violated the solemn undertaking given by their predecessors to the great Dominions overseas, which have hitherto trusted to the sure shield of the navy. The effect is a heavy blow to the Empire.