SINGAPORE BASE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 March 1925, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

NO MENACE TO JAPAN

VITAL TO EMPIRE’S INTERESTS

DERATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPY RIGH'I Received March 6, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, March 5. In the House ox Lords, Lord \Y nnborne said there was a conflict- oi opinion whether the Singapore base was a vital and urgent necessity. When the late Government abandoned the scheme its. action was supported by Labour opinion in Australia and New Zealand.

Lord Balfour said he was en tho most cordial and' intimate terms with the Japanese delegates at 'Washington, and there had been frequent correspondence since. He had never heard a flint that the base was regarded as a menace to Japan. No other nation in the world would have left Singapore without defence for so long. Japan ought not to be dragged into the matter. The idea of war between Britain and Japan was abhorrent to both nations. The selfgoverning Dominions knew that the defence of the Empire rests with • the ,tish fleet alone. A glance at the map showed that the only way to maiie the fleet in the Pacific and Indian Oceans effective was with the Singapore base. . Lord Haldane said there was nothing in the proposal contrary.' to the letter of the agreement at Washington, but it was proposed to set up a new weapon and thus cast doubt as to whether our sentiments were genuine. He did not think there was any reason that danger was likely to attend Australia and New Zealand. We were on the friendliest terms with Japan. If the base was set up, a large number of troops would be needed, and an Eastern fleet as well as a Western fleet. Lord Curzon urged that the Singapore base was indispensable. If there were war in the Far-. East and we did not send a fleet to Singapore our trade routes would be destroyed and the Dominions would be exposed. Lord Haldane’s remark that the base was a provocative measure was an empty com-monplace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SPREADING TJEI.E COST

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DOMINIONS.

Received March 6, 9.10 a.m

LONDON, March 5. Lord Curzon stated that the proposed expenditure for which Parliament would be asked in connection with the Singapore base would only lie £204,000 jor the present financial year, £ Slid, 000 1 for the next financial year, and £2v < ,(aAj the following year. He emphasised the willingness of the Dominions to contribute towards the erection of the base. The Australian and New Zealand Governments must take into account their new commitments, consequent on the MacDonald Government’s decision, in considering the extent to which they could at present eo-operate in the development' of Singapore.

J,ord Curzon added that a graving dock at -Singapore had not yet beeu decided upon.—Reuter.