SAFETY FIRST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 November 1924, Page 5

SAFETY FIRST

BRITAIN’S NAVAL POLICY. SEMI-OFFICIAL FORECAST. SINGAPORE BASE. [New Zealanders realise that on the British Navy depends the security of the shores of the Dominion. The semi-official announcement contained below, therefore, 1 will be -of considerable interest, as indicating that no time will be lost in bringing the Navy up to a standard commensurate with the safety of the Empire. One of the vital issues is the matter of the Singapore base, and while, respecting the feelings of Japan, Britain

will not allow sentiment to outweigh safety.] BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION- -COPYRIGHT

(Received Nov. 10, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9. The Observer anticipates that the Conservatives. will inaugurate a vigorous naval shipbuilding policy and replace obsolete ships, restoring the three cruisers. the Labourites cancelled. It recalls that the Admiralty pointed out a year ago that 52 crujsers must be built by 1933 to keep abreast of foreign development. Britain is also falling behind in destroyer strength, i When the results of the present ex- / perimental destroyers are known a big programme is likely. The fleet also wants up-to-date aircraft carriers. The Observer, discussing Mr L. C. Amery’s appointment, says: “No man who ever filled the position has brought more knowledge thereto. His whole life for a quarter of a . century has been a consecutive preparation. Therefore Mr Amery will be welcomed by the Dominions. When the results> of the Imperial Conference regarding preference are restored we hop<e that he will put further controversy aside and set himself to promote the Imperial development of communications' and transport co-operation by every practical means. The fiscal issue cannot usefully be raised during this Parliament. Creative work can be done without it. Singapore is a, difficult question to the new Government owing to Japanese misgivings. Singapore is regarded by the Japanese as a move in the opposite direction to the Anglo- , Japanese Alliance, which the Washing- ’ ton Conference .scrapped. Nothing is gained by shutting our eyes to Japanese feeling, intensified by the recollection that Japan was a loyal friend to Britain for 20 years. Japanese confidence iis an esaential element in the understanding between naval Powers. Canada’s nearness to America and Australia’s vuearness to Japan create conflicting views on British naval .policy iri the ’ Pacific. At the Imperial Conference in 1921, and before" the Washington Conference, Canada opposed the continuance of> the Anglo-Japaiiese Alliance and Australia- favoured it. Singapore is a far-reaching, important problem, and it is expected the Government will not take a hasty decision.” / •