SINGAPORE BASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 December 1924, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE.

COST TO THE DOMINIONS. ALLIED DEBTS PROBLEM. 3Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Dec. 10. ‘ The' most interesting points in yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons were Singapore and Allied debts to Britain. When the Speaker read the references in the King’s Speech to public economy he was greeted by Labour cries of “Singapore. ” Mr Lloyd George (leader of the Liberal Party) emphasised the fact that British taxpayers were paying £130,000,000 annually, on account of Allied debts, and he asked Avhether Britain would . continue to pay the United' States while our Allies made no offer. The Premier (Mr Stanley Baldwin), replying, promised that the question of; debts would, be debated next week and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Winston Churhill) would state the Government’s position. . Mr Lloyd George also expressed regret that the Government had rushed : to a decision regarding Singapore. -,lt would have been better to have arranged for a consultation with the Dominions to see if some agreement on the subject of contributions by the Dominions could be reached. Mr Baldwin promised that there would be an opportunity for a discussion on Singapore before the House rose. Mr Lloyd "George asked whether there had been communications with the Dominions on this important' subject.

Mr Baldwin: “We have begun already. The question lias been raised, but we have not yet come to a decision regarding the length of time over wliieh the work will be spread nor any arrangement regarding the contribution to be given by Britain or the Dominions immediately concerned. ”

The Daily Teieg/aph states that the sum the House will be asked to vote as the first instalment- for Singapore will not be large, possibly about £70,000. The Daily Telegraph ’s diplomatic correspondent says there are three important aspects of the Singapore base which are not generally borne in mind. Ihe first is that the Washington agreement only runs for ten years. There is at present no guarantee of its extension, and if it is not extended the communications Yvith the Dominions would be entirely without defence by a modern battle fleet, failing suitable harbour and docking accommodation. Secondly, a .fleet based on Singapore eould cover not only Australia and New Zealand, but the eastern approaches to India. - •

The correspondent adds that naval opinion in Holland and the Dutch East Indies is closely following the scheme and welcomes the idea of a big naval base at Singapore. An informal Duteh naval entente in the Far East may be realised in the "not distant future. '