STRONG PROTEST.

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 136, 27 March 1924, Page 5

STRONG PROTEST.

MR MASSEY AND SINGAPORE. Hi: DOES NOT LIKE THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. (Per Pres« Association). Wellington, March 20. Mr Massey, in his reply on behalf of the Government, forwarded through the Governor-General to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, regarding the British Government's action in abandoning work on the Singapore base, says: ; 'l regret exceedingly that it is not proposed to proceed with what I looked upon as one of the most important proposals connnected with the defence of the Empire. Naval authorities are agreed that a. modern fleet cannot operate without a properlyequipped base. In. their opinion no place is so suitable for the protection of that portion of the Empire situated in the Indian, and Pacific Oceans as Singapore. "Singapore is for defensive, not offensive purposes. The establishment of a naval base there would be no more a threat to Japan, that Gibraltar s a threat to America or any other Power. '•The New Zealand Government last session voted £IOO,OOO as an earnest of its anxiety that the fortification of Singapore should be proceeded with. We will not stop at that." in reply to Mr MaoDohnld's statement that his "Government stands for international co-operation through a strengthened and enlarged League of Nations," Mr Massey says:— "If the defence of the Empire is to depend upon tho League of Nations only, then it may turn out to have been a pity that the League was ever brought into being. The very existence of the Empire depends upon the Imperial Navy. \i\ in the event of war, tho Navy is to operate successfully, we must have suitable bases." Mr Massev concluded:—

"On behalf of New Zealand I protest earnestly against the proposal to make Singapore a strong, safe naval station being abandoned, because I believe that as long as Britain holds the supremacy of the sea the Empire will stand, but if Britain loses her naval supremacy, the Empire may fall to the detriment, not only of its own people, but of humanity as a whole. It is surely the duty of the British Minister and the British Parliament to see that so far as it is humanly possibly to prevent it, there will be no danger of such a catastrophe."